irreverence
Americannoun
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the quality of being irreverent; lack of reverence or respect.
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an irreverent act or statement.
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the condition of not being reverenced, venerated, respected, etc.
noun
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lack of due respect or veneration; disrespect
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a disrespectful remark or act
Etymology
Origin of irreverence
First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English word from Latin word irreverentia. See ir- 2, reverence
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.
Frontman Cameron Winter anchors the chaos with his singular warble, and lyrics that swerve wildly between irreverence and incisiveness.
From BBC • Dec. 20, 2025
"He will be remembered for his works, for their brilliance and humanity, and for his wit, his irreverence, his generosity of spirit and his profound love of the English language," it said.
From Barron's • Nov. 29, 2025
"He will be remembered for his works, for their brilliance and humanity, and for his wit, his irreverence, his generosity of spirit and his profound love of the English language," United Agents added.
From BBC • Nov. 29, 2025
Sandler called the movie “Happy Gilmore” and found a wide audience that loved it for its irreverence about a game that flaunts hushed reverence.
From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 3, 2025
Not the paws of a leopard walking upright, turned against men by irreverence.
From "The Poisonwood Bible" by Barbara Kingsolver
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.
