What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
profanity
Example
He shouted profanities at the referee for making a bad call. [profanities: noun]
Example
She was scolded for using profanity in her school essay. [profanity: noun]
vulgarity
Example
The comedian's jokes were criticized for their vulgarity and lack of sophistication. [vulgarity: noun]
Example
The movie was rated R for its violence, nudity, and vulgar language. [vulgar: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Vulgarity is more commonly used than profanity in everyday language. Vulgarity is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while profanity is less common and refers to a more specific type of language.
Whatโs the difference in the tone of formality between profanity and vulgarity?
While both profanity and vulgarity are generally considered informal and impolite, vulgarity can be used in both informal and formal contexts depending on the situation. Profanity, on the other hand, is typically associated with a more informal and disrespectful tone.
