reverence

[rev-er-uhns, rev-ruhns]

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR reverence ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

a feeling or attitude of deep respect tinged with awe; veneration.

the outward manifestation of this feeling: to pay reverence.

a gesture indicative of deep respect; an obeisance, bow, or curtsy.

the state of being revered, or treated with respect tinged with awe.

(initial capital letter) a title used in addressing or mentioning a member of the clergy (usually preceded by your or his).

verb (used with object), rev·er·enced, rev·er·enc·ing.

to regard or treat with reverence; venerate: One should reverence God and His laws.

Origin of reverence

1250–1300; Middle English < Latin reverentia respect, fear, awe. See revere¹, -ence

Related formsrev·er·enc·er, nounnon·rev·er·ence, nounself-rev·er·ence, nounun·rev·er·enced, adjective

Synonyms for reverence

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR reverence ON THESAURUS.COM

1. honor, esteem. 6. revere, honor, adore.

Antonyms for reverence

1. contempt.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Related Words for reverence

admiration, veneration, piety, adoration, loyalty, esteem, deference, respect, awe, devotion, obeisance, devoutness, fealty, love, homage, religiousness, worship, approbation, apotheosis, praise

Examples from the Web for reverence

Contemporary Examples of reverence

They included the officers who had turned their backs on the Jumbotron, but there now was only reverence in their ranks.
Funeral Protest Is Too Much for NYPD Union Boss
Michael Daly
January 5, 2015
Labor Day is always a day that blends celebration with reverence.
Cleaning Up From Napa's Winepocalypse
Jordan Salcito
August 30, 2014
Brewers and legal experts speak of him in hushed tones, with equal parts irritation and reverence.
Meet the Beer Bottle Dictator
Tim Mak
August 12, 2014
Lincoln was just wrong to hope that “reverence for the laws” would become our “political religion.”
Cliven Bundy Is Angry—Just Like the Rest of Us
James Poulos
April 19, 2014
I get the reverence for tradition that defines a place like Ole Miss.
Heritage and Hate at Ole Miss
Jamelle Bouie
February 21, 2014

Historical Examples of reverence

“His reverence is taking his after-dinner nap and may not be disturbed,” said the man.
The Armourer's Prentices
Charlotte M. Yonge
He drew off: and then ran into the highest professions of reverence and affection for you.
Clarissa, Volume 1 (of 9)
Samuel Richardson
It was to her the revelation of a heart, and she saw with reverence.
Weighed and Wanting
George MacDonald
As for his marvellous power, I shall bless it and reverence it all my life.
The Bacillus of Beauty
Harriet Stark
To reverence in church, and to guarded language, he also exhorted him.
Cameos from English History, from Rollo to Edward II
Charlotte Mary Yonge

British Dictionary definitions for reverence

reverence

noun

a feeling or attitude of profound respect, usually reserved for the sacred or divine; devoted veneration

an outward manifestation of this feeling, esp a bow or act of obeisance

the state of being revered or commanding profound respect

saving your reverence archaic a form of apology for using an obscene or taboo expression

verb

(tr) to revere or venerate

Derived Formsreverencer, noun

Reverence

noun

(preceded by Your or His) a title sometimes used to address or refer to a Roman Catholic priest

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for reverence

late 13c., from Old French reverence "respect, awe," from Latin reverentia "awe, respect," from revereri "to stand in awe of, respect, honor, fear, be afraid of; revere," from re-, intensive prefix (see re-), + vereri "stand in awe of, fear," from PIE *wer- "to be or become aware of, perceive, watch out for" (cf. Old English wær "aware, cautious;" see wary).

late 14c., "treat with respect, honor; venerate, pay pious homage to; esteem, value; bow to (someone); do honor to," from reverence (n.). Related: Reverenced; reverencing.