adj
Uncommon
venerable
VEH-nuh-ruhbl
Venerable (adj) means commanding great respect because of age, wisdom, or long-standing achievement. Example: “The venerable professor had taught at the university for over forty years.”
adj
1
Commanding great respect because of age, wisdom, or long-standing achievement.
"The venerable professor had taught at the university for over forty years."
"They visited the venerable old temple on the hill."
2
A formal title of respect given in some religious traditions, such as an early stage of Catholic sainthood or an honorific for Anglican archdeacons.
"The Vatican declared her Venerable, the first step toward possible sainthood."
How to use venerable
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishDeserving deep respect, usually because of age, wisdom, or a long, distinguished history.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
a venerable institution
venerable tradition
venerable elder
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Word forms
- Comparative
- more venerable
- Superlative
- most venerable
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The _____ professor had taught at the university for over forty years.
Etymology
From Old French venerable, from Latin venerabilis, from venerari ("to revere, worship").
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for venerable
See all rhymes for venerable →Frequently asked questions
What does “venerable” mean?
The word “venerable” means commanding great respect because of age, wisdom, or long-standing achievement. In plain terms, deserving deep respect, usually because of age, wisdom, or a long, distinguished history.
How do you pronounce “venerable”?
“Venerable” is pronounced VEH-nuh-ruhbl (/ˈvɛnəɹəbl/ in IPA).
How do you use “venerable” in a sentence?
Here is “venerable” used in a sentence: “The venerable professor had taught at the university for over forty years.”
What part of speech is “venerable”?
“Venerable” is an adjective.
Where does the word “venerable” come from?
The word “venerable” comes from Latin. From Old French venerable, from Latin venerabilis, from venerari ("to revere, worship").
Is “venerable” a common word?
“Venerable” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “venerable” have?
“Venerable” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: commanding great respect because of age, wisdom, or long-standing achievement.
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