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• reverence
  reverence

  noun

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

  noun

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

reverence

American  

[rev-er-uhns, rev-ruhns] / ˈrɛv ər əns, ˈrɛv rəns /

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 ).

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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 British  

/ 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

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verb

1. (tr) to revere or venerate

Reverence ² British  

/ ˈrɛvərəns /

noun

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

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Other Word Forms

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

Etymology

Origin of reverence

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

Explanation

Reverence is a feeling of deep respect or awe — like what you have for a president, a hero, or a favorite football player. Reverence can be a feeling of awe, and it can also describe how you treat someone, particularly when used with the word with. To treat someone "with reverence" is to show them intense respect. Your friends may respect you for your loyalty, though they probably do not bow to you with reverence every day.

Example Sentences

Even North Korea, which plasters pictures of leader Kim Jong Un across the country and demands reverence, does not feature him in the passport, which instead depicts sacred Mount Paektu.

From Barron's • Apr. 28, 2026

Gwennan Harries taught Jones at Ysgol Gyfun Gymraeg Glantaf, the school she attended in north west Cardiff, and remembers the reverence her rugby skills were held in.

From BBC • Apr. 25, 2026

That wasn’t an act of misdirected reverence but a refusal of reverence.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 16, 2026

Curiously, he notes, people have such reverence for these hypnotic streams of light that they duck to avoid disturbing them rather than crossing in front of them.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 23, 2026

She held herself raised by her great prosperity above all that ordinary mortals fear and reverence.

From "Mythology: Timeless Tales of Gods and Heroes" by Edith Hamilton

Related Words

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