reverence

[rev-er-uhns, rev-ruhns]

noun

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

   Synonyms: esteem, honor
   Antonyms: contempt

2. the outward manifestation of this feeling.

   to pay reverence.

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

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

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

verb (used with object)

reverenced, reverencing 

1. to regard or treat with reverence; venerate.

   One should reverence God and His laws.

   Synonyms: adore, honor, revere

reverence

¹

/ ˈrɛvərəns /

noun

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

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

3. the state of being revered or commanding profound respect

4. archaic,  a form of apology for using an obscene or taboo expression

verb

1. (tr) to revere or venerate

Reverence

²

/ ˈrɛvərəns /

noun

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

Other Word Forms

• reverencer noun
• nonreverence noun
• self-reverence noun
• unreverenced adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of reverence¹

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English, from Latin reverentia “respect, fear, awe”; equivalent to revere ¹ + -ence

Example Sentences

And we used to talk about the game with the reverence that exclusivity implies.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

In keeping with the reverence of the time, Franco’s body lay in state for 50 hours, with a long line of people—stretching more than a mile—shuffling past.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

“Customers come in and they buy them, but we haven’t treated them with the reverence and with the marketing they expect.”

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Analytically minded front offices, full of Ivy League data wonks with little or no playing experience, have far less reverence for baseball orthodoxy and have begun looking for talent in unusual places.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Through their shared reverence for art, Gustav and Nora find a way to converse without speech and to share ideas without discussion.

Read more on Salon

Related Words

• admiration 
• adoration 
• awe 
• deference 
• devotion 
• esteem 
• loyalty 
• piety 
• respect 
• veneration