adjective
reverent
REV-er-unt/ˈrevərənt/
Showing deep respect or awe.
Visitors maintain a reverent silence inside the memorial.
Etymology
The verb vereri joined fear with respect: standing in awe of people could mean deeply honoring them. The prefix re- may intensify that attitude, rather than mean doing it again.
In context
Indigenous Australians saw themselves as custodians of the land, while the ancient Chinese considered themselves reverent guests of nature.
I became what a friend of mine calls a reverent agnostic … there's something important and beautiful about the idea of sacredness,
More examples
- She speaks of her grandmother in a reverent tone.
- The congregation grows reverent as the prayer begins.
- His reverent handling of the old letters shows how much they matter.
Forms
reverent · more reverent · most reverent
reverence noun — Deep respect or awe for someone or something.
reverently adverb — With deep respect or solemn awe.
Similar words
- respectful
- Emphasizes polite consideration without necessarily suggesting awe or solemnity.
- awed
- Emphasizes overwhelming wonder rather than the outward expression of respect.