Meaning & use
reverently
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Meaning
adverbcomparable
In a way that shows deep, quiet respect, especially toward something holy or deeply admired.
Grammar: Often placed before a verb of speech or touch: spoke reverently, touched it reverently.
Patterns
- speak reverently of someone
- touch something reverently
The visitors spoke reverently in the old cathedral.
He reverently placed the flowers on the grave.
She handled the ancient manuscript reverently.
Word forms
| comparative | more reverently |
|---|---|
| superlative | most reverently |
Common combinations
- speak reverently
- The students spoke reverently about their old teacher.
- bow reverently
- The pilgrims bowed reverently before the shrine.
- handle reverently
- The curator handled the relic reverently.
- whisper reverently
- He whispered the name reverently.
- touch reverently
- She reverently touched the stone wall.
Synonyms and how they differ
- respectfully
- Respectfully is the everyday word for polite regard, while reverently adds awe, almost like worship.
- worshipfully
- Worshipfully is stronger and suggests actual adoration, as of a god or hero.
- solemnly
- Solemnly describes a serious manner without necessarily showing respect or awe.
- devoutly
- Devoutly focuses on religious commitment, while reverently describes the respectful manner.
Opposites
Word family
- reverence noun
- deep respect or awe
- revere verb
- to admire deeply and respect
- reverent adjective
- showing deep respect
- irreverent adjective
- showing a lack of respect for things that are usually treated seriously
Commonly confused: reverently or irreverently?
reverently vs irreverently
Irreverently is the opposite: it means with a lack of respect, often in a joking way.
Practice
Visitors walked ___ through the memorial and spoke only in whispers.
Choose one answer.
Reverently means with deep respect, matching whispers at a memorial. Carelessly, hurriedly and noisily describe behavior that would not show respect.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “reverently”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.