English Reference
Adjective

venerable

adj.
C1 Advanced US /ˈvɛnɝəbəɫ/ UK /vˈɛnəɹəbəl/ ven·er·a·ble

adj.deserving a lot of respect because of age, wisdom, or character. You often use this to describe people, buildings, or traditions that have existed for a long time.

adj.deserving of great respect, especially by virtue of age, wisdom, or historical character. Often used to describe established institutions or elderly individuals of high standing.


SIMPLE

The venerable professor retired after fifty years of teaching.

CONTEXTUAL

The town's venerable library has served as a quiet sanctuary for local scholars for over a century.

COMPLEX

The venerable institution maintained its strict traditions despite the rapid social changes occurring in the surrounding city, serving as a physical anchor to the community's shared past.

Usage

Typically used attributively before a noun; often carries a formal or literary tone.

So it was a touch surprising this summer when developers CD Projekt Red announced a new expansion to the venerable adventure, titled Songs of the Past, for next year.

The Guardian· 28 Aug 2026

Every year, hundreds of standups from across the world descend on the venerable festival.

The Guardian· 20 Aug 2026

From Middle French vénérable, from Old French, from Latin venerabilis.

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

This entry
Level C1 · Advanced
Frequency Frequent
Updated