reverend

[rev-er-uhnd, rev-ruhnd]

adjective

1. (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.

2. worthy to be revered; entitled to reverence.

3. pertaining to or characteristic of the clergy.

noun

1. Informal.,  a member of the clergy.

reverend

¹

/ ˈrɛvərənd /

adjective

1. worthy of reverence

2. relating to or designating a clergyman or the clergy

noun

1. informal,  a clergyman

Reverend

²

/ ˈrɛvərənd /

adjective

1. Abbreviations: Rev..  Revd. a title of respect for a clergyman 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

Other Word Forms

• reverendship noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of reverend¹

1400–50; late Middle English < Latin reverendus worthy of being revered, gerund of reverērī to revere ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of reverend¹

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

Example Sentences

I’ll pray the great gods give the reverend good luck on that.

From Los Angeles Times

A significant portion of the stolen $200,000 came from the reverend’s own pockets.

From Los Angeles Times

Craig “The Hatchet Man” Johnson, a self-described reverend, the founder and president of educational advocacy organization First Amendment, Inc, and the host of conservative radio program “The REALLY, Real, Deal,” is one such endorser.

From Salon

Church services are being held to remember two firefighters and a 57-year-old man killed in a fire at an Oxfordshire business park, as a local reverend said "our hearts are broken".

From BBC

A reverend whose house was sold without him knowing has had the property returned to him nearly four years on, after a family was ordered to leave.

From BBC