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

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

Seeing how fiercely protective and reverent Charles was in his explanation of jab jab reminded me of something chart-topping Afrobeats superstar Rema said in an Apple Music interview promoting his new Heis album. —Kyle Denis, Billboard, 16 Sep. 2024

Part sloppy and overly reverent tribute, part hilarious 1970s gross-out romp, and an all-out assault to recreate the adrenaline rush of producing that inaugural SNL, Jason Reitman‘s Saturday Night seeks to bring folks back to the 90 minutes leading up to the 90 minutes that changed the world. —David Fear, Rolling Stone, 1 Sep. 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