venerate
Americanverb (used with object)
verb
-
to hold in deep respect; revere
-
to honour in recognition of qualities of holiness, excellence, wisdom, etc
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of venerate
1615–25; < Latin venerātus, past participle of venerārī to solicit the goodwill of (a god), worship, revere, verbal derivative of vener-, stem of venus, presumably in its original sense “desire”; see Venus)
Explanation
To venerate is to worship, adore, be in awe of. You probably don't venerate your teacher or boss; however, you may act like you do! The word hasn't come far from its Latin roots in venerari, "to worship." Although you can certainly venerate a deity, a person can deserve it, too. We don't usually venerate our friends: instead, we usually save this feeling for deities or remarkable people who inspire awe. Mother Teresa was venerated for her work with the poor, and Gandhi was venerated for his efforts for peace, but most people aren't venerated for normal stuff like taking out the trash or hanging out on a Saturday.
Vocabulary lists containing venerate
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Venerate has won only one of five starts this year.
From Seattle Times • Aug. 6, 2021
Venerate will try to beat the odds Saturday when the Julie Miller-trainer colt takes on nine rivals in the $1 million Hambletonian at the Meadowlands.
From Seattle Times • Aug. 6, 2021
Venerate finished third behind Captain Corey and the Nancy Takter-trained Really Fast, who is the fourth choice at 5-1.
From Seattle Times • Aug. 6, 2021
Venerate the brave and good and heroic figures — large and small — from history for their actions and accomplishments.
From Washington Times • Oct. 21, 2018
Venerate him I knew that I never could; but I already pitied him exceedingly.
From Rattlin the Reefer by Marryat, Frederick
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
