reverend

1 of 2

adjective

rev·​er·​end ˈrev-rənd How to pronounce reverend (audio)
ˈre-və-;
ˈre-vərnd
1
: worthy of reverence : revered
2
a
: of or relating to the clergy
b
: being a member of the clergy
used as a title
the Reverend Mr. Doe
the Reverend John Doe
the Reverend Mrs. Jane Doe

reverend

2 of 2

noun

: a member of the clergy
sometimes used in plural as a title

Examples of reverend in a Sentence

Adjective our reverend elders should be accorded a special place of honor at the ceremonies Noun called their reverend and asked if he could marry them next June
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Adjective
Kristen Harper, a reverend and senior minister at Barnstable Unitarian Church, has spoken about the Reverse Freedom Riders during several sermons of the past. Rachael Devaney, USA TODAY, 17 Sep. 2022 No one was a better fit for the job to officiate Richie and Madden's 2010 wedding than the Run DMC frontman, who is a reverend IRL. Grace Gavilanes, Peoplemag, 23 Aug. 2022
Noun
In his letter, the reverend encouraged parishioners to participate in services and activities at the Oak Park location of Our Mother of Perpetual Help Parish. Nour Rahal, Detroit Free Press, 30 Oct. 2024 The church’s current reverend, Matthew McHale, was serving at a Unitarian church in San Fernando during the pandemic. Autumn Alvarez, The Mercury News, 14 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for reverend 

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Middle English, borrowed from Anglo-French, borrowed from Latin reverendus, gerundive of reverērī "to stand in awe of, revere entry 1"

Noun

derivative of reverend entry 1

First Known Use

Adjective

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1608, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of reverend was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near reverend

Cite this Entry

“Reverend.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/reverend. Accessed 24 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

reverend

1 of 2 adjective
rev·​er·​end ˈrev-(ə-)rənd How to pronounce reverend (audio)
ˈrev-ərnd
1
: worthy of reverence : revered
these reverend halls
2
used as a title for a member of the clergy
the Reverend Ms. Doe
the Reverend John Doe
the Reverend Mother Superior

reverend

2 of 2 noun
: a member of the clergy

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