irreverence
C1/C2Formal, academic, literary
Definition
Meaning
A lack of respect for things that are generally taken seriously or considered sacred.
A light-hearted, mocking, or deliberately disrespectful attitude towards authority, tradition, or established ideas.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Can denote either a negative character flaw (disrespect) or a positive quality (healthy scepticism, freedom from dogma), depending on context and perspective.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No major lexical differences. Slight preference for 'irreverent' (adj.) over the noun in some conversational contexts.
Connotations
Similar in both varieties. May carry a hint of intellectual non-conformism in positive use.
Frequency
Moderately low frequency in both, slightly higher in journalistic and cultural criticism texts.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
irreverence towards [NOUN]irreverence for [NOUN]Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “with tongue firmly in cheek”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rare. Used in critiques of corporate culture ('his irreverence for hierarchy was not appreciated').
Academic
Used in humanities (theology, history, cultural studies) to describe attitudes towards institutions or beliefs.
Everyday
Uncommon in casual conversation. Used to describe someone's bold or impolite attitude.
Technical
Not applicable.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- She was accused of irreverencing the monarchy.
- The comedian irreverences every sacred cow.
American English
- He irreverenced the founding fathers in his polemic.
- They are known for irreverencing political icons.
adverb
British English
- He spoke irreverently of the prime minister.
- She grinned irreverently during the solemn ceremony.
American English
- He joked irreverently about the ceremony.
- She writes irreverently about corporate life.
adjective
British English
- He has an irreverent sense of humour.
- Her irreverent take on the classics is refreshing.
American English
- The show takes an irreverent look at American history.
- He's known for his irreverent commentary.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- His irreverence sometimes gets him into trouble.
- The teacher did not like the student's irreverence.
- The film's irreverence towards religious figures caused controversy.
- Her cheerful irreverence for office protocol is both amusing and disruptive.
- The biography is praised for its scholarly rigour but criticised for its underlying irreverence towards its subject.
- A certain intellectual irreverence is necessary to challenge the dogmas of any field.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
IRREVERENCE = IR (not) + REVERENCE (deep respect). Think: 'Not showing reverence.'
Conceptual Metaphor
AUTHORITY IS A SACRED OBJECT (to show irreverence is to profane it).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not translate as 'безразличие' (indifference). Focus on active disrespect, not passive lack of interest. 'Непочтительность' is closer, but lacks the intellectual/conceptual nuance.
Common Mistakes
- Confusing with 'irrelevance'. Incorrect preposition: 'irreverence *of* tradition' (should be *towards/for*).
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following best describes a positive use of 'irreverence'?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. While it can mean offensive disrespect, it often describes a healthy scepticism or a refusal to blindly accept authority, which can be seen positively.
'Disrespect' is broader and more general. 'Irreverence' specifically implies a lack of respect for things that are *traditionally* revered or considered sacred (ideas, institutions, figures). It often has an intellectual or mocking tone.
The verb 'to irreverence' exists but is extremely rare and stylistically marked. The adjective 'irreverent' and noun 'irreverence' are standard.
'Towards' (BrE preference) and 'for' (AmE preference) are both correct, as in 'irreverence towards tradition' or 'irreverence for authority'.