reverence
gb/ɹˈɛvɚəns/ us/ɹˈɛvɚəns/
B2
English
~ 3600
Senses
0 senses
Noun
formal
B2
state
1
deep respect or admiration
A strong feeling of respect and honor for someone or something.
Usage pattern:
reverence for [someone/something]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'reverence' with 'reference' due to similar pronunciation, but they have very different meanings.
Synonyms
respect (A more general and less formal term for positive regard toward someone or something.)
|
admiration (Focuses more on approval and liking rather than solemn respect.)
Antonyms
disrespect (A lack of regard or courtesy toward someone or something.)
|
contempt (A feeling that something is worthless or beneath consideration, the opposite of esteem.)
Collocations
deep reverence
|show reverence
|with reverence
|hold in reverence
|reverence for tradition
Themes
emotions
|relationships
|values
|religion
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The students showed great reverence for their teacher.
- Many visitors feel a sense of reverence when they enter the ancient temple.
- He spoke of his parents with reverence, clearly valuing their guidance.
- The ceremony was conducted with solemn reverence.
- Her reverence for nature was evident in her artwork.
Learner examples
- I have great reverence for my grandmother.
- They showed reverence to the old leader.
- We must have reverence for the law.
- The children looked at the flag with reverence.
- He spoke with reverence about his coach.
Verb
formal
C1
action
2
to show deep respect
To show strong respect for someone or something.
Usage pattern:
to reverence [someone/something]
Common mistake:
Learners may overuse this verb form; in modern usage, the noun is far more common than the verb.
Synonyms
honor (Often broader, can include rewarding or recognizing achievements as well as showing respect.)
Antonyms
disregard (To ignore or treat without respect.)
Collocations
reverence the memory
|reverenced by followers
Themes
emotions
|relationships
|values
|communication
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- They reverenced their ancestors by keeping traditions alive.
- The poet was reverenced by his peers for his contributions to literature.
- We should reverence those who fought for our freedom.
Learner examples
- We reverence our teachers.
- They reverence the old customs.
- People reverence the national flag.
Grammar
Dictionary form
reverence
IPA
GB/ɹˈɛvɚəns/
US/ɹˈɛvɚəns/
Syllables & stress
rev - er - ence (3 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (rev)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: reverence
- Plural: reverence, reverences
Word family
Forms
reverences
noun
Core family
revere
verb C1
reverent
adjective
Related words
reverently
adverb
reverential
adjective
Negative and opposite forms
irreverent
adjective
irreverence
noun
irreverently
adverb
Advanced or less common
reverentially
adverb
Expressions
hold in reverence
1/hˈoʊld ˈɪn ɹˈɛvɚəns/
fixed phrase
formal
to regard with deep respect
To think of someone or something with strong respect.
Examples
- Many people hold their grandparents in reverence.
- The community holds the tradition in reverence.
show reverence
1/ʃˈoʊ ɹˈɛvɚəns/
fixed phrase
formal
to demonstrate deep respect
To act in a way that shows strong respect.
Examples
- We should show reverence to our elders.
- The visitors showed reverence by remaining silent.
with reverence
1/wˈɪθ ɹˈɛvɚəns/
fixed phrase
formal
in a deeply respectful way
In a way that shows strong respect.
Examples
- She accepted the award with reverence.
- They entered the holy site with reverence.