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noun B2 Upper-Intermediate Uncommon

reverence

REHV-uh-ruhns

Reverence (noun) means Deep respect and awe, often tinged with a sense of the sacred. Example: “Visitors spoke in hushed tones, out of reverence for the ancient temple.”

noun
1
Deep respect and awe, often tinged with a sense of the sacred.
"Visitors spoke in hushed tones, out of reverence for the ancient temple."
"He treated his grandfather's old tools with a kind of reverence."
verb
1
To regard or treat with reverence.
"The community reverences its founding elders."

How to use reverence

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA feeling of profound respect, often close to religious awe.

Common pairings
show reverence treat with reverence reverence for nature

Word forms

reverenced past tense, reverences plural, reverences singular

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Visitors spoke in hushed tones, out of _____ for the ancient temple.

Etymology

From Old French reverence, from Latin reverentia, from revereor, "to stand in awe of".

Origin: Latin

Related words

Rhymes for reverence

See all rhymes for reverence →

Frequently asked questions

What does “reverence” mean?

The word “reverence” means deep respect and awe, often tinged with a sense of the sacred. In plain terms, a feeling of profound respect, often close to religious awe.

How do you pronounce “reverence”?

“Reverence” is pronounced REHV-uh-ruhns (/ˈɹɛv.ə.ɹəns/ in IPA).

How do you use “reverence” in a sentence?

Here is “reverence” used in a sentence: “Visitors spoke in hushed tones, out of reverence for the ancient temple.”

What is the opposite of “reverence”?

The opposite of “reverence” — its antonyms — are contempt, blasphemy and profanity.

What part of speech is “reverence”?

Depending on how it is used, “reverence” can be a noun and a verb.

Where does the word “reverence” come from?

The word “reverence” comes from Latin. From Old French reverence, from Latin reverentia, from revereor, "to stand in awe of".

Is “reverence” a common word?

“Reverence” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.

How many meanings does “reverence” have?

“Reverence” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: deep respect and awe, often tinged with a sense of the sacred.

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