reverend

[ rev-er-uh nd, rev-ruh nd ]

/ ˈrɛv ər ənd, ˈrɛv rənd /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR reverend ON THESAURUS.COM

adjective

(initial capital letter) (used as a title of respect applied or prefixed to the name of a member of the clergy or a religious order): Reverend Timothy Cranshaw; Reverend Mother.

worthy to be revered; entitled to reverence.

pertaining to or characteristic of the clergy.

noun

Informal. a member of the clergy.

Nearby words

reverberatory, reverberatory furnace, revere, revere, paul, reverence, reverend, reverend mother, reverent, reverential, reverentially, reverently

Origin of reverend

1400–50; late Middle English < Latin reverendus worthy of being revered, gerund of reverērī to revere¹

Related forms

rev·er·end·ship, noun

Can be confused

reverend reverent

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

Examples from the Web for reverend

For Paul, the thrill of breakfast with the Reverend, may be giving way to the taste of burnt toast.
GOP Won’t Forgive Rand for Cop Critique|Lloyd Green|December 23, 2014|DAILY BEAST
This week the Church of England named the Reverend Libby Lane as its first female bishop.
First Anglican Woman Bishop A Return to Christian Roots|Candida Moss|December 18, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Percy Heath, a merry fellow, specialized in leading the Reverend Professor Doctor astray and had a lot of fun with him.
The Stacks: H.L. Mencken on the 1904 Baltimore Fire|H.L. Mencken|October 4, 2014|DAILY BEAST
As Sharpton now visited Tupac in prison, the rapper told him that his jailhouse friend was not a big fan of the reverend.
Tupac Shakur’s Race-Killer Prison Pal Talks|Michael Daly|July 29, 2014|DAILY BEAST

One of the heroes calls Christianity a 'fairy tale'—and one of the villains is a reverend.
‘True Detective’s’ Godless Universe: Is the HBO Show Anti-Christian?|Andrew Romano|March 6, 2014|DAILY BEAST
This reverend man had been bound as he descended from his carriage, and had remained bound ever since.
The American Baron|James De Mille
"Oh, I say now," said the Reverend, hauling out his notebook.
At Good Old Siwash|George Fitch
And the Reverend George Austen was a bit proud of his younger daughter.
Little Journeys to the Homes of the Great, Vol. 2 of 14|Elbert Hubbard
Yea, worthy sir, but scarce befitting this reverend assembly.
The Dove in the Eagle's Nest|Charlotte M. Yonge
The reverend gentleman, talking about violins, has reached one that once belonged to Ernst.
How to Listen to Music, 7th ed.|Henry Edward Krehbiel

British Dictionary definitions for reverend (1 of 2)

reverend

/ (ˈrɛvərənd) /

adjective

worthy of reverence

relating to or designating a clergyman or the clergy

noun

informal a clergyman

Word Origin for reverend

C15: from Latin reverendus fit to be revered; see revere

British Dictionary definitions for reverend (2 of 2)

Reverend

/ (ˈrɛvərənd) /

adjective

a title of respect for a clergymanAbbreviations: Rev., Revd See also Very Reverend, Right Reverend, Most Reverend

usage

Reverend with a surname alone (Reverend Smith), as a term of address (``Yes, Reverend''), or in the salutation of a letter (Dear Rev. Mr Smith) are all generally considered to be wrong usage. Preferred are (the) Reverend John Smith or Reverend Mr Smith and Dear Mr Smith

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