# reverence

/ˈɹɛvɝəns/ (US) · /ɹˈɛvɹəns/ (UK) · CEFR C1 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/reverence
Updated: 2026-08-15

## Definition

a feeling of deep respect and love for someone or something. You usually feel this for people who are very wise, holy, or important.

For teachers: a feeling or attitude of profound respect and veneration. Often directed toward religious figures, historical icons, or natural wonders.

## Examples

- The students treated the old professor with great reverence.
- The crowd stood in silence to show their reverence for the fallen heroes during the ceremony.
- The architect designed the cathedral to inspire a sense of quiet reverence, using light and shadow to emphasize the scale of the vaulted ceilings.

## Usage notes

- Often paired with the preposition 'for' ('reverence for nature').

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.