reverence

[ rev-er-uhns, rev-ruhns ]
See synonyms for: reverencereverencedreverencing on Thesaurus.com

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

  2. the outward manifestation of this feeling: to pay reverence.

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

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

  3. (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.
  1. to regard or treat with reverence; venerate: One should reverence God and His laws.

Origin of reverence

1
First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English, from Latin reverentia “respect, fear, awe”; equivalent to revere1 + -ence

Other words for reverence

Opposites for reverence

Other words from reverence

  • rev·er·enc·er, noun
  • non·rev·er·ence, noun
  • self-rev·er·ence, noun
  • un·rev·er·enced, adjective

Words Nearby reverence

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use reverence in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for reverence (1 of 2)

reverence

/ (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

  1. the state of being revered or commanding profound respect

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

verb
  1. (tr) to revere or venerate

Derived forms of reverence

  • reverencer, noun

British Dictionary definitions for Reverence (2 of 2)

Reverence

/ (ˈrɛvərəns) /


noun
  1. (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