reverent

adjective

rev·​er·​ent ˈrev-rənt 

ˈre-və-;

ˈre-vərnt

: expressing or characterized by reverence : worshipful

reverently adverb

Examples of reverent in a Sentence

a reverent crowd of worshippers

a reverent tone of voice

Recent Examples on the Web

At the center on one side was a life-size Virgin holding the Child, surrounded by 40 reverent haloed figures. —Jerry Saltz, Vulture, 18 Oct. 2024

Beethoven would hardly recognize our concert-going culture, in which people sit in reverent silence, then clap politely and go home. —Justin Davidson, Curbed, 16 Oct. 2024

The conductor of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame’s crazy train on Saturday night was actor Jack Black, who had the honor of inducting Ozzy Osbourne into the institution with a speech that was predictably reverent and hilarious. —Kory Grow, Rolling Stone, 19 Oct. 2024

Harris, by contrast, talked about the city in reverent tones. —Chris Megerian, Fortune, 17 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, borrowed from Anglo-French, borrowed from Latin reverent-, reverens, present participle of reverērī "to stand in awe of, revere entry 1"

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

reverent

adjective

rev·​er·​ent ˈrev-(ə-)rənt 

ˈrev-ərnt

: very respectful : showing reverence

reverently adverb