revere
verb (used with object)
to regard with respect tinged with awe; venerate.
Jump to:
revere
1 American
[ri-veer]
/ rɪˈvɪər /
verb (used with object)
revered,
revering
revere
2
American
[ri-veer]
/ rɪˈvɪər /
noun
Revere
3
American
[ri-veer]
/ rɪˈvɪər /
noun
-
Paul, 1735–1818, American silversmith and patriot, famous for his night horseback ride, April 18, 1775, to warn Massachusetts colonists of the coming of British troops.
-
a city in E Massachusetts, on Massachusetts Bay, near Boston: seaside resort.
Revere
1
British
/ rɪˈvɪə /
noun
revere
2
British
/ rɪˈvɪə /
verb
Other Word Forms
- reverable adjective
- reverer noun
Etymology
Origin of revere
First recorded in 1655–65; from Latin reverērī, equivalent to re- re- + verērī “to stand in awe of, fear, feel reverence” (akin to ware 2 )
Explanation
Revere means to respect someone so deeply that you almost worship them. Many Americans revere civil rights activists like Martin Luther King, Jr. and Rosa Parks, who worked to make the country a more just place. Revere is related to the words reverence ("to hold something in worshipful awe") and its opposite — irreverent. Reverence for the irreverent is actually possible. Howard Stern humor is often vulgar and absurdly irreverent yet his legions of fans and even some media analysts revere him and his ability to maintain a loyal audience. Revere is the perfect word when respect is not strong enough but worship seems a little too religious-sounding. Rock stars, for example, are revered by throngs of devoted fans.
Vocabulary lists containing revere
Warm-up, List 1
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
"Give Me Liberty or Give Me Death" by Patrick Henry (1775)
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
100 SAT words Beginning with "R"
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
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.
Now Carlson is making his way back into the conversation by opposing the man he once claimed to revere.
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 22, 2026
Iran has about 90 million people, many of whom despise the regime, many of whom revere it.
From Slate • Mar. 2, 2026
I feel about Scotland the way many Europeans feel about America: I love its people, revere its history, relish its architecture and topography and regard its present-day politics with sadness.
From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 5, 2025
Though Bhumibol's son inherited the throne about nine years ago, many still revere him as the nation's most steadfast figurehead -- and Sirikit as his constant companion.
From Barron's • Oct. 26, 2025
I don’t know what caused the transformation, why suddenly I could engage with the great thinkers of the past, rather than revere them to the point of muteness.
From "Educated" by Tara Westover
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.
