reverential

adjective

rev·​er·​en·​tial ˌre-və-ˈren(t)-shəl 

1

: expressing or having a quality of reverence

reverential awe

2

: inspiring reverence

reverentially

ˌre-və-ˈren(t)-sh(ə-)lē 

adverb

Examples of reverential in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

But to restore his credibility in the eyes of the public, Biden has to do not just staged pep rallies with friendly reverential audiences, but engage urgently in genuine unscripted, responsive exchanges with independent media and outside key opinion leaders. —Jeffrey Sonnenfeld and Steven Tian, TIME, 29 June 2024

The camera, ever reverential, doesn’t follow Mollie out of the room and Ernest’s life. —Angelica Jade Bastién, Vulture, 12 Jan. 2024

The director rejects the ease of over-explanation and allure of an exclusively reverential tone. —Lovia Gyarkye, The Hollywood Reporter, 16 May 2024

His Sibelius is reverential, his Stravinsky without bite. —Mark Swed, Los Angeles Times, 12 Apr. 2024

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Medieval Latin reverentiālis, from Latin reverentia reverence entry 1 + -ālis -al entry 1

First Known Use

circa 1555, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

reverential

adjective

rev·​er·​en·​tial ˌrev-ə-ˈren-chəl 

1

: showing or having a quality of reverence

2

: inspiring reverence

reverentially

-ˈrench-(ə-)lē 

adverb