reverent
Americanadjective
adjective
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of reverent
First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English from Latin reverent- (stem of reverēns ), present participle of reverērī “to fear, have reverence”; see revere 1, -ent
Explanation
When you have great awe and respect for someone or something, and you show it by respectfully worshiping that person, thing, deity, or musical group, you are being reverent. Originally, the word reverent was used only in religious contexts, but now it works when people are just acting like they’re in a religious setting (even if the object of their worship is a sports star or political pundit). People are occasionally reverent in regard to antique cars, supermodels, spelling bee champions and giant TV screens. Reverent is related to the verb revere, which is also about having or showing respect for someone or something.
Vocabulary lists containing reverent
The SAT: Words to Capture Tone, List 1
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The Great Gatsby
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The New SAT: Words to Capture Tone
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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.
Movies about filmmaking tend to be either reverent or cynical, but Mr. Farrelly has fashioned an impeccable combination of lightness and soul.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 5, 2026
Now, the pride moves in both directions — with Sofia as reverent of her mother’s work as Eleanor was of hers — meeting in the middle to stretch into the future.
From Salon ● Oct. 20, 2026
As the light slowly faded in Tarragona, on the Mediterranean coast, a crowd looked on in almost reverent silence as the orange, late-afternoon glow gave way to amost complete darkness.
From Barron's ● Aug. 12, 2026
Whenever the tone of the film tilts toward the overly reverent, Waters comes in with a bit of wisecracking, truthtelling remembrance: Oliver chain-smoked, swore, was stubborn, walked in the forest “like a crazy person.”
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 2, 2026
The words, in the reverent tones of his rough voice, sounded like a magic spell.
From "Strange the Dreamer" by Laini Taylor
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Get a wordDefinitions 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.
