Reverence
noun /ˈrev.ər.əns/ — Deep respect and veneration
Definition
A feeling of deep respect and awe — the posture of a mind that has encountered something greater than itself and responded with genuine humility rather than false modesty.
Beyond the definition
The emotion that properly sized things produce. Reverence is not sycophancy — it is the honest response to genuine greatness.
Origin & history
From Latin 'reverentia' (awe, respect) — from 'revereri' (to stand in awe of) — 're' (again, intensifier) + 'vereri' (to fear, to respect). To hold something in continued awe.
Example sentences
Illustrative sentences for learning, not verified community posts or sourced quotations.
She spoke of her teacher with genuine reverence — not performance, but recognition.
Reverence and sentimentality are different: reverence is accurate, sentimentality is comfortable.
The child looked at the ocean with reverence — and was right to.
How to use it
This entry uses a noun. Follow the examples for articles and singular or plural forms; not every noun takes “a” or “an.”
Choose “Reverence” when the meaning fits your context: A feeling of deep respect and awe — the posture of a mind that has encountered something greater than itself and responded with genuine humility rather than false modesty.
Synonyms
veneration, awe, respect, honour, deference
Antonyms
disrespect, contempt, irreverence, profanity
Related words
Questions about this word
What does "Reverence" mean?
Reverence is noun meaning: Deep respect and veneration. A feeling of deep respect and awe — the posture of a mind that has encountered something greater than itself and responded with genuine humility rather than false modesty.
Where does the word "Reverence" come from?
From Latin 'reverentia' (awe, respect) — from 'revereri' (to stand in awe of) — 're' (again, intensifier) + 'vereri' (to fear, to respect). To hold something in continued awe.