irreverent

adjective

ir·​rev·​er·​ent i-ˈre-v(ə-)rənt 

ˌi(r)-,

-ˈre-vərnt

: lacking proper respect or seriousness

also : satiric

irreverently adverb

Synonyms

• blasphemous
• impious
• profane
• sacrilegious

Examples of irreverent in a Sentence

He has a delightfully irreverent sense of humor.

irreverent behavior during church services

Recent Examples on the Web

Questions as fun and irreverent as these are asked and answered in STAR BOUND: A Beginner’s Guide to the American Space Program, from Goddard’s Rockets to Goldilocks Planets and Everything In Between. —Rebecca Coffey, Forbes, 17 Dec. 2024

For The Win's daily sports newsletter pairs the latest news from around the sports world with the smartest − yet somewhat irreverent – takes from FTW's staff. —Jim Reineking, USA TODAY, 16 Dec. 2024

The brand, which had an irreverent attitude and subtly subversive approach to sport, was a fixture on players at the best clubs in the country. —Lisa Lockwood, WWD, 22 Nov. 2024

The vibe is cool, fun and irreverent, but the secret sauce is actually vulnerability, a willingness to be messy and imperfect and sad sometimes. —Jem Aswad, Variety, 4 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Latin irreverent-, irreverens, from in- + reverent-, reverens reverent

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

irreverent

adjective

ir·​rev·​er·​ent (ˈ)ir-ˈ(r)ev-(ə-)rənt 

-ərnt

: showing lack of reverence

irreverent joking and giggling in church

irreverence

-ˈ(r)ev-(ə-)rən(t)s

-ˈ(r)ev-ərn(t)s

noun

irreverently adverb