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reverend
[ rev-er-uhnd, rev-ruhnd ]
/ ˈrɛv ər ənd, ˈrɛv rənd /
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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.
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Origin of reverend
1400–50; late Middle English <Latin reverendus worthy of being revered, gerund of reverērī to revere1
OTHER WORDS FROM reverend
rev·er·end·ship, nounWORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH reverend
reverend , reverentWords nearby reverend
reverberatory, reverberatory furnace, revere, revered, reverence, reverend, Reverend Mother, reverent, reverential, reverently, Revere, Paul
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021
How to use reverend in a sentence
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 for Reverend
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
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