worshipful

adjective

wor·​ship·​ful ˈwər-shəp-fəl 

also ˈwȯr-

1

a

archaic : notable, distinguished

b

chiefly British

—used as a title for various persons or groups of rank or distinction

2

: giving or expressing worship or veneration

worshipfully

ˈwər-shəp-fə-lē 

also ˈwȯr-

adverb

worshipfulness noun

Synonyms of worshipful

• adoring

Examples of worshipful in a Sentence

She was greeted by thousands of worshipful fans.

a movie fan's worshipful stare upon finally meeting her idol

Recent Examples on the Web

But while his adoration does have an erotic edge to it (see: The Shape of Water), on the whole, his affection for the misshapen and the outcast among us is more worshipful than overtly lusty. —Katie Rife, Vulture, 9 Nov. 2025

West was at the height of his cultural influence and had handpicked Chance, a fellow Chicago native, as his protégé—the successor to the soul-drenched, worshipful hip-hop that West had popularized in the mid-two-thousands. —Brady Brickner-Wood, New Yorker, 20 Aug. 2025

The secret in the biscuits is the pairing of cheddar with bacon, with the overall result being worshipful thanks from those who are lucky enough to partake. —Mary Shannon Wells, Southern Living, 18 Aug. 2025

Actor and director Erich von Stroheim, who was cast as Desmond’s worshipful valet, driver and former silent film director, had a rocky history with Swanson. —Scott Huver, People.com, 3 Aug. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, "deserving honor or respect, of noble character, worthy of veneration," from wurðscip, worschip "honor, esteem, renown, veneration, rank" + -ful -ful entry 1 — more at worship entry 2

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Kids Definition

worshipful

adjective

wor·​ship·​ful ˈwər-shəp-fəl 

: giving worship