reverent

adjective

rev·​er·​ent ˈrev-rənt 

ˈre-və-;

ˈre-vərnt

: expressing or characterized by reverence : worshipful

reverently adverb

Examples of reverent in a Sentence

a reverent crowd of worshippers

a reverent tone of voice

Recent Examples on the Web

They were fascinated, almost reverent, says Dawn Wallace, an objects conservator for the American history museum. —USA TODAY, 12 Apr. 2024

The sign is just one of the many items Dickies moved over to its new offices — a reverent nod to its past. —Brayden Garcia, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 12 Apr. 2024

The crowd is appropriately reverent on this religious holy day as percussionist/composer Ches Smith begins, leading his unclassifiable ensemble Laugh Ash through a maze of scrambled electronics, free-jazz vibraphone, and orchestrations that shift from unnerving to sweet. —Ryan Reed, SPIN, 27 Mar. 2024

The atmosphere between songs was so reverent that somebody was moved to pierce the tension by blasting an ironic airhorn. —Jazz Monroe, Pitchfork, 21 Mar. 2024

The atmosphere at Les Grands Buffets is calm and even reverent. —Lauren Collins, The New Yorker, 1 Apr. 2024

Cabrini The Bottom Line A reverent biopic in every sense. —Frank Scheck, The Hollywood Reporter, 29 Feb. 2024

Both were received by the crowd with a reverent silence, and then very loud applause. —Radhika Seth, Vogue, 20 Feb. 2024

His explorations of identity and self-definition, of the importance of the oral tradition in literature, and of his Kiowa heritage were interwoven with reverent evocations of landscape in passages of soaring lyrical prose. —John Motyka, New York Times, 29 Jan. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, borrowed from Anglo-French, borrowed from Latin reverent-, reverens, present participle of reverērī "to stand in awe of, revere entry 1"

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

reverent

adjective

rev·​er·​ent ˈrev-(ə-)rənt 

ˈrev-ərnt

: very respectful : showing reverence

reverently adverb