First Known Use: 14th century
Dictionary
1reverence
noun rev·er·ence \ˈrev-rən(t)s, ˈre-və-; ˈre-vərn(t)s\
: honor or respect that is felt for or shown to (someone or something)
Full Definition of REVERENCE
1
: honor or respect felt or shown : deference; especially : profound adoring awed respect
2
: a gesture of respect (as a bow)
3
: the state of being revered
4
: one held in reverence —used as a title for a clergyman
See reverence defined for English-language learners
See reverence defined for kids
ADVERTISEMENT
Examples of REVERENCE
- The national pickle dish, kimchi, is held in such reverence that Seoul boasts a museum devoted entirely to its 160 different varieties. —The Encyclopedia of Herbs, Spices, & Flavorings, 1992
- Reverence for or worship of the dead is found in all societies, because belief in life after death is universal. —World Religions, 1983
- He took the command of this small party at once—the little girl and the little boy following him about with great reverence at such times as he condescended to sport with them. —William Makepeace Thackeray, Vanity Fair, 1848
- [+]more
Origin of REVERENCE
Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin reverentia, from reverent-, reverens respectful, reverent
Synonym Discussion of REVERENCE
honor, homage, reverence, deference mean respect and esteem shown to another. honor may apply to the recognition of one's right to great respect or to any expression of such recognition <the nomination is an honor>. homage adds the implication of accompanying praise <paying homage to Shakespeare>. reverence implies profound respect mingled with love, devotion, or awe <great reverence for my father>. deference implies a yielding or submitting to another's judgment or preference out of respect or reverence <showed no deference to their elders>.
2reverence
verb rev·er·ence \ˈrev-rən(t)s, ˈre-və-; ˈre-vərn(t)s\
rev·er·encedrev·er·enc·ing
Definition of REVERENCE
transitive verb
: to regard or treat with reverence (see 1reverence)
— rev·er·enc·er noun
Examples of REVERENCE
- Only acquaintance with the great models of antiquity moves men to love and reverence the great authors of their own time … —John Clive, Not By Fact Alone, 1989
- It is our most fundamental political document, reverenced by all, the supposed cement of our society, yet it is read by few and understood by fewer still. —David M. Kennedy, New York Times Book Review, 14 Sep. 1986
- None of us like mediocrity, but we all reverence perfection. —Mark Twain, A Tramp Abroad, 1880
- [+]more
Origin of REVERENCE
(see 1reverence)
First Known Use: 14th century
Synonym Discussion of REVERENCE
revere, reverence, venerate, worship, adore mean to honor and admire profoundly and respectfully. revere stresses deference and tenderness of feeling <a professor revered by her students>. reverence presupposes an intrinsic merit and inviolability in the one honored and a similar depth of feeling in the one honoring <reverenced the academy's code of honor>. venerate implies a holding as holy or sacrosanct because of character, association, or age <heroes still venerated>. worship implies homage usually expressed in words or ceremony <worships their memory>. adore implies love and stresses the notion of an individual and personal attachment <we adored our doctor>.
REVERENCE Defined for Kids
reverence
noun rev·er·ence \ˈre-və-rəns, ˈrev-rəns\
Definition of REVERENCE for Kids
: honor and respect often mixed with love and awe
Learn More About REVERENCE
Browse
Next Word in the Dictionary: reverend (adjective)Previous Word in the Dictionary: revereeAll Words Near: reverence
ADVERTISEMENT
Seen & Heard
What made you want to look up reverence? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).