reverential

adjective

rev·​er·​en·​tial ˌre-və-ˈren(t)-shəl How to pronounce reverential (audio)
1
: expressing or having a quality of reverence
reverential awe
2
: inspiring reverence
reverentially adverb

Examples of reverential in a Sentence

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.
Despite smart, playful cooking, everyone around me ate in reverential near-silence. Caroline Hatchett, Robb Report, 3 Nov. 2024 But the son has chosen a slightly less reverential path. Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 13 Sep. 2024 There is a more reverential, Church-like feel in the lower ground floor galleries which evokes Amaral’s Catholic upbringing in Colombia. Lee Sharrock, Forbes, 29 Oct. 2024 This all translates into lifelike sound quality that has transformed my dusty stacks of wax into reverential musical experiences. Ryan Waniata, WIRED, 3 Oct. 2023 See all Example Sentences for reverential 

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Medieval Latin reverentiālis, from Latin reverentia reverence entry 1 + -ālis -al entry 1

First Known Use

circa 1555, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of reverential was circa 1555

Dictionary Entries Near reverential

Cite this Entry

“Reverential.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/reverential. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

reverential

adjective
rev·​er·​en·​tial ˌrev-ə-ˈren-chəl How to pronounce reverential (audio)
1
: showing or having a quality of reverence
2
: inspiring reverence
reverentially adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on reverential

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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