reverend

1 of 2

adjective

rev·​er·​end ˈrev-rənd 

ˈre-və-;

ˈre-vərnd

1

: worthy of reverence : revered

2

a

: of or relating to the clergy

b

: being a member of the clergy

—used as a title

the Reverend Mr. Doe

the Reverend John Doe

the Reverend Mrs. Jane Doe

reverend

2 of 2

noun

: a member of the clergy

—sometimes used in plural as a title

Synonyms

Adjective

• hallowed
• revered
• sacred
• venerable
• venerated

Noun

• clergyperson
• cleric
• clerical
• clerk
• deacon
• divine
• dominie
• ecclesiastic
• minister
• preacher
• priest

Examples of reverend in a Sentence

Adjective

our reverend elders should be accorded a special place of honor at the ceremonies

Noun

called their reverend and asked if he could marry them next June

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Kristen Harper, a reverend and senior minister at Barnstable Unitarian Church, has spoken about the Reverse Freedom Riders during several sermons of the past. —Rachael Devaney, USA TODAY, 17 Sep. 2022

No one was a better fit for the job to officiate Richie and Madden's 2010 wedding than the Run DMC frontman, who is a reverend IRL. —Grace Gavilanes, Peoplemag, 23 Aug. 2022

Noun

Preserving community gems Michael Major is a reverend at Zion Baptist Church in Philadelphia. —Buffy Gorrilla, NPR, 28 Feb. 2025

Most of the cards feature gothic-style fonts, limited colors like black and red, and some were even sent by reverends or churches. —Paul Du Quenoy, Newsweek, 31 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Middle English, borrowed from Anglo-French, borrowed from Latin reverendus, gerundive of reverērī "to stand in awe of, revere entry 1"

Noun

derivative of reverend entry 1

First Known Use

Adjective

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1608, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

reverend

1 of 2 adjective

rev·​er·​end ˈrev-(ə-)rənd 

ˈrev-ərnd

1

: worthy of reverence : revered

these reverend halls

2

—used as a title for a member of the clergy

the Reverend Ms. Doe

the Reverend John Doe

the Reverend Mother Superior

reverend

2 of 2 noun

: a member of the clergy