Venerable
adjective /ˈven.ər.ə.bəl/ — Accorded great respect due to age and wisdom
Definition
Accorded a great deal of respect — especially because of age, wisdom, or high character. Also used for institutions, buildings, or objects of great age and historical significance.
Beyond the definition
The dignity that age earns. A venerable person is not merely old — they are old in a way that the years have added to rather than subtracted from. Venerability must be earned.
Origin & history
From Latin 'venerabilis' (worthy of reverence) — from 'venerari' (to revere, to worship). Related to Venus — the quality of being worthy of the kind of devotion associated with love and worship.
Example sentences
Illustrative sentences for learning, not verified community posts or sourced quotations.
The venerable professor had forgotten more about the subject than most of her students would ever know.
The institution had a venerable history — five hundred years of the same purpose, pursued in changing forms.
Venerable is not just old — it is old in a way that commands respect rather than sympathy.
How to use it
This entry uses an adjective. Follow the examples for the nouns it describes and its position in the sentence.
Choose “Venerable” when the meaning fits your context: Accorded a great deal of respect — especially because of age, wisdom, or high character. Also used for institutions, buildings, or objects of great age and historical significance.
Synonyms
revered, respected, distinguished, august, honoured
Antonyms
disrespected, young, upstart
Related words
Questions about this word
What does "Venerable" mean?
Venerable is adjective meaning: Accorded great respect due to age and wisdom. Accorded a great deal of respect — especially because of age, wisdom, or high character. Also used for institutions, buildings, or objects of great age and historical significance.
Where does the word "Venerable" come from?
From Latin 'venerabilis' (worthy of reverence) — from 'venerari' (to revere, to worship). Related to Venus — the quality of being worthy of the kind of devotion associated with love and worship.