irreverent

adjective

ir·​rev·​er·​ent i-ˈre-v(ə-)rənt How to pronounce irreverent (audio)
ˌi(r)-,
-ˈre-vərnt
: lacking proper respect or seriousness
also : satiric
irreverently adverb

Examples of irreverent in a Sentence

He has a delightfully irreverent sense of humor. irreverent behavior during church services
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Questions as fun and irreverent as these are asked and answered in STAR BOUND: A Beginner’s Guide to the American Space Program, from Goddard’s Rockets to Goldilocks Planets and Everything In Between. Rebecca Coffey, Forbes, 17 Dec. 2024 For The Win's daily sports newsletter pairs the latest news from around the sports world with the smartest − yet somewhat irreverent – takes from FTW's staff. Jim Reineking, USA TODAY, 16 Dec. 2024 The brand, which had an irreverent attitude and subtly subversive approach to sport, was a fixture on players at the best clubs in the country. Lisa Lockwood, WWD, 22 Nov. 2024 The vibe is cool, fun and irreverent, but the secret sauce is actually vulnerability, a willingness to be messy and imperfect and sad sometimes. Jem Aswad, Variety, 4 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for irreverent 

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Latin irreverent-, irreverens, from in- + reverent-, reverens reverent

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of irreverent was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near irreverent

Cite this Entry

“Irreverent.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/irreverent. Accessed 22 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

irreverent

adjective
ir·​rev·​er·​ent (ˈ)ir-ˈ(r)ev-(ə-)rənt How to pronounce irreverent (audio)
-ərnt
: showing lack of reverence
irreverent joking and giggling in church
irreverence
-ˈ(r)ev-(ə-)rən(t)s
-ˈ(r)ev-ərn(t)s
noun
irreverently adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on irreverent

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