irreverence

American  

[ih-rev-er-uhns] / ɪˈrɛv ər əns /

noun

1. the quality of being irreverent; lack of reverence or respect.

2. an irreverent act or statement.

3. the condition of not being reverenced, venerated, respected, etc.

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irreverence British  

/ ɪˈrɛvərəns, ɪˈrɛvrəns /

noun

1. lack of due respect or veneration; disrespect

2. a disrespectful remark or act

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Etymology

Origin of irreverence

First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English word from Latin word irreverentia. See ir- ², reverence

Example Sentences

For Beeching, the reaction to that picture says something about "how comfortable we are mixing authority with irreverence".

From BBC • Feb. 27, 2026

"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

"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

By the time he enrolled at Westchester High — his classmates included comedian Phil Hartman and Manson Family member Lynette “Squeaky” Fromme — Volman had gravitated toward irreverence.

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 5, 2025

Not the paws of a leopard walking upright, turned against men by irreverence.

From "The Poisonwood Bible" by Barbara Kingsolver