adj
Common
reverend
REHV-ruhnd
Reverend (adj) means deserving deep respect, especially used as a title before a clergy member's name. Example: “The Reverend Susan Clarke will lead the service.”
adj
1
Deserving deep respect, especially used as a title before a clergy member's name.
"The Reverend Susan Clarke will lead the service."
"The Reverend James Hall welcomed everyone to the church on Sunday morning."
"Please write to the Reverend Mary Owen if you want to book the hall."
noun
1
A member of the Christian clergy, especially as a title.
"The esteemed reverend will enlighten us with a sermon on reconciliation."
"The reverend visited every family in the parish during Advent."
"The village reverend gave a short talk at the wedding."
"My uncle became a reverend after many years of working as a teacher."
How to use reverend
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA polite title or description for a clergyman or clergywoman.
Common mistake
When used as a title, it goes before the name, usually as "the Reverend [Name]", not "Reverend Smith" alone in formal style — though the shorter form is common in everyday speech.
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Word forms
- Plural
- reverends
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The _____ Susan Clarke will lead the service.
Etymology
Borrowed from Middle French révérend, from Latin reverendus, "that is to be respected" — the future passive form of revereor, "to revere".
Related words
Frequently asked questions
What does “reverend” mean?
The word “reverend” means deserving deep respect, especially used as a title before a clergy member's name. In plain terms, a polite title or description for a clergyman or clergywoman.
How do you pronounce “reverend”?
“Reverend” is pronounced REHV-ruhnd (/ˈɹɛvɹənd/ in IPA).
How do you use “reverend” in a sentence?
Here is “reverend” used in a sentence: “The Reverend Susan Clarke will lead the service.”
What part of speech is “reverend”?
Depending on how it is used, “reverend” can be an adjective and a noun.
Where does the word “reverend” come from?
The word “reverend” comes from Latin. Borrowed from Middle French révérend, from Latin reverendus, "that is to be respected" — the future passive form of revereor, "to revere".
Is “reverend” a common word?
“Reverend” is a fairly common word in modern English.
How many meanings does “reverend” have?
“Reverend” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: deserving deep respect, especially used as a title before a clergy member's name.
Is reverend a title or a job?
Reverend is a title of respect used before the name of a member of the Christian clergy, rather than a job title itself; the actual role might be priest, pastor, or minister. It signals respect and formally identifies someone as clergy.
How is reverend used before a name?
Reverend is placed before a clergy member's full name or first initial and surname, such as "Reverend John Smith," and is often abbreviated as "Rev." in writing.
What is the difference between reverend and pastor?
Reverend is a title of respect placed before a clergy member's name, while pastor describes their actual role, typically leading a congregation. A single person can be addressed as "Reverend" while holding the job of pastor.
