reverential

American  

[rev-uh-ren-shuhl] / ˌrɛv əˈrɛn ʃəl /

adjective

1. of the nature of or characterized by reverence; reverent.

   reverential awe.

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reverential British  

/ ˌrɛvəˈrɛnʃəl /

adjective

1. resulting from or showing reverence

   a pilgrimage is a reverential act, performed by reverent people

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Other Word Forms

• nonreverential adjective
• nonreverentially adverb
• reverentiality noun
• reverentially adverb
• reverentialness noun
• unreverential adjective
• unreverentially adverb

Etymology

Origin of reverential

First recorded in 1545–55; reverent + -ial

Example Sentences

But fairs emphasized the typical, not the singular; the popular, not the elite; the commercial, not the reverential.

From The Wall Street Journal

Snider’s slow, elegantly understated and, within bounds, reverential opera operates as much as a passion play as an opera.

From Los Angeles Times

“Gram was very reverential about the Opry stars, but the audience wasn’t ready for it. Of course, a few years later, everybody had long hair, and then you had Southern rock.”

From Los Angeles Times

“I’m creating my own vision of the artist’s unfinished masterpiece, torn between a feeling of reverential awe and profound admiration,” he told Wallpaper.

From Los Angeles Times

I think there's a reverential approach that is just as, if not more, valuable.

From Salon

Related Words

• admiring
• deferential
• polite
• solemn
• worshipful