reverent

[ rev-er-uhnt, rev-ruhnt ]

See synonyms for reverent on Thesaurus.com

adjective

feeling, exhibiting, or characterized by reverence; deeply respectful: a reverent greeting.

Origin of reverent

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English from Latin reverent- (stem of reverēns ), present participle of reverērī “to fear, have reverence”; see revere¹, -ent

Other words from reverent

rev·er·ent·ly, adverb
rev·er·ent·ness, noun
non·rev·er·ent, adjective
self-rev·er·ent, adjective
un·rev·er·ent, adjective

Words that may be confused with reverent

reverend, reverent

Words Nearby reverent

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use reverent in a sentence

These don’t feel like Easter eggs or cred-grabs so much as a reverent tethering to home.
Turnstile, the soaring hardcore band of the moment, has a reminiscent sound that pushes us forward in time | Chris Richards | September 29, 2021 | Washington Post
It should come as no surprise that Wignot has painted such a reverent, yet deeply personal portrait of her subject.
Dance icon gets luminous treatment in ‘Ailey’ doc | John Paul King | July 28, 2021 | Washington Blade
The Irregulars, another Netflix release, out March 26, is the least reverent recent expansion of the brand.
Netflix's The Irregulars Isn't a Great Sherlock Holmes Spinoff—But It's Still a Lot of Fun | Judy Berman | March 26, 2021 | Time
But Alexander is far more intellectually sophisticated, and frankly more reverent.
Eben Alexander Has a GPS for Heaven | Patricia Pearson | October 8, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
The parade was solemn, with reverent music and the call-and-response singing of two choirs.
The First Americans to Observe the 4th Were Moravian Pacifists | Linda C. Brinson | July 4, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST

The story of these and her sisters we must pass in reverent silence.
The Real Memorial Day: Oliver Wendell Holmes's Salute To A Momentous American Anniversary | Malcolm Jones | May 26, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
Two, we wanted to offer sincere and reverent homage to those same beautifully made movies.
Mel Brooks Is Always Funny and Often Wise in This 1975 Playboy Interview | Alex Belth | February 16, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
“And they remembered my name,” he says with an almost reverent gratitude.
“Ameer Got His Gun”: Not Challenging Any Narratives | Briggette Sayegh | November 19, 2012 | THE DAILY BEAST
The Savages have often been present, always profoundly silent and reverent.
The Jesuit Relations and Allied Documents, Vol. II: Acadia, 1612-1614 | Various
These words, uttered with thrilling earnestness, struck reverent awe into the nuns and the stranger.
An Episode Under the Terror | Honore de Balzac
There was a peculiar, reverent tenderness in his manner towards her, that was even more marked than usual.
The Daughters of Danaus | Mona Caird
I only knew I loved it and I became reverent as the sounds carried themselves through my brain via my heart.
My Wonderful Visit | Charlie Chaplin
She was reading a book with reverent attention; it was a volume of the works of one of our modern Juvenals.
Dream Tales and Prose Poems | Ivan Turgenev

British Dictionary definitions for reverent

reverent

/ (ˈrɛvərənt, ˈrɛvrənt) /

adjective

feeling, expressing, or characterized by reverence

Origin of reverent

C14: from Latin reverēns respectful

Derived forms of reverent

reverently, adverb
reverentness, noun

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

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