reverence
C1Formal
Definition
Meaning
A feeling or attitude of deep respect tinged with awe, typically towards a deity, sacred object, or person of high status.
Respectful submission or courteous regard shown to another; the act of venerating or treating with great honour. In some contexts, a title for a member of the clergy (e.g., Your Reverence).
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The word carries connotations of solemnity, profound respect, and often a spiritual or hierarchical dimension. It suggests a respect that is deeply felt rather than merely polite.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning. The title 'Your Reverence' is slightly more common in British contexts for Anglican clergy, while American use might more often refer to 'Reverend' as a title.
Connotations
Equally formal and elevated in both varieties.
Frequency
Used with similar low frequency in formal, religious, or literary contexts in both regions.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
reverence for [noun phrase]reverence towards [noun phrase]to hold [someone/something] in reverenceto treat [someone/something] with reverenceVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “hold in reverence”
- “treat with reverence”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rarely used. If used, it's in a metaphorical sense, e.g., 'The founder is held in reverence by the company's long-term employees.'
Academic
Common in humanities, especially religious studies, history, and literature, to describe attitudes towards sacred figures, traditions, or texts.
Everyday
Uncommon in casual conversation. Reserved for discussions about deeply respected figures, traditions, or spiritual matters.
Technical
Not applicable in most technical fields.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The villagers would reverence the ancient stone circle.
- He was a leader revered and reverenced by his followers.
American English
- The community reverences the legacy of its founders.
- She reverenced the traditions handed down to her.
adverb
British English
- He bowed reverencely before the altar.
- They listened reverencely to the elder's story.
American English
- She placed the book down reverencely.
- He gazed reverencely at the painting.
adjective
British English
- He spoke in a reverence tone.
- A reverence silence fell over the congregation.
American English
- She had a reverence attitude toward the natural world.
- The ceremony was performed with reverence care.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- She feels great reverence for her grandfather.
- They showed reverence during the ceremony.
- The ancient temple was treated with deep reverence by the local people.
- He spoke of the former president with genuine reverence.
- Despite the secular age, a certain reverence for the site persists among visitors.
- Her reverence for the written word bordered on the devotional.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of REVERE (to deeply respect) + ENCE (a state of being). 'Reverence' is the state of revering something.
Conceptual Metaphor
RESPECT IS UP (He is held in the highest reverence); THE SACRED IS PRECIOUS/AWE-INSPIRING (They handled the relic with reverence).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid confusing 'reverence' (глубокое почтение, благоговение) with 'reverend' (священник), which is a title.
- Do not translate it simply as 'уважение' – it is stronger and more specific, closer to 'благоговение' or 'почтение'.
Common Mistakes
- Incorrect pronunciation: /riːˈvɪərəns/. Correct is /ˈrevərəns/.
- Using it as a casual synonym for 'like' or 'appreciate' (e.g., 'I reverence this song' – unnatural).
Practice
Quiz
In which of the following contexts is the word 'reverence' LEAST likely to be used appropriately?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, though it is archaic and very rare in modern English. 'To reverence' means to regard or treat with reverence. 'To revere' is the much more common verb.
'Reverence' implies a deeper, more profound, and often more solemn feeling than 'respect'. It is frequently associated with the sacred, the awe-inspiring, or figures of immense authority or purity.
No, but it has strong religious connotations. It can be used in secular contexts to describe an attitude of deep, awed respect towards anything highly valued, such as nature, tradition, or a heroic figure.
It is a formal title of respect for a priest or other religious figure, particularly in some Christian traditions (e.g., Anglican, Catholic). It is less common than titles like 'Reverend' or 'Father'.
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