reverend

[ rev-er-uhnd, rev-ruhnd ]

adjective

1. (initial capital letter) (used as a title of respect applied or prefixed to the name of a member of the clergy or a religious order):

   Reverend Timothy Cranshaw; Reverend Mother.

2. worthy to be revered; entitled to reverence.
3. pertaining to or characteristic of the clergy.

noun

1. Informal. a member of the clergy.

Reverend

¹

/ ˈrɛvərənd /

adjective

1. a title of respect for a clergyman AbbreviationsRev.Revd See also Very Reverend Right Reverend Most Reverend

reverend

²

/ ˈrɛvərənd /

adjective

1. worthy of reverence
2. relating to or designating a clergyman or the clergy

noun

1. informal.
   a clergyman

Usage

Reverend with a surname alone ( Reverend Smith ), as a term of address ( ``Yes, Reverend'' ), or in the salutation of a letter ( Dear Rev. Mr Smith ) are all generally considered to be wrong usage. Preferred are ( the ) Reverend John Smith or Reverend Mr Smith and Dear Mr Smith

Other Words From

• rever·end·ship noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of reverend¹

1400–50; late Middle English < Latin reverendus worthy of being revered, gerund of reverērī to revere ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of reverend¹

C15: from Latin reverendus fit to be revered; see revere

Example Sentences

I cannot forget the look on the very reverend’s face the first time we met him in 1998, when U2 and other guests crowded into his office of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission in Cape Town.

From Time

They said the reverends’ presence could unfairly influence the jury.

From Time

Now, King stars in the upcoming CW series reboot 4400 as a young reverend from Chicago.

From Essence.com

Now, I’m playing a reverend who is the leader of the 4400 by moving people with his words.

From Essence.com

At the moment, the reverend seems content in the role of visiting politician, passing through on his way to higher ground.

From Washington Post

For Paul, the thrill of breakfast with the Reverend, may be giving way to the taste of burnt toast.

From The Daily Beast

This week the Church of England named the Reverend Libby Lane as its first female bishop.

From The Daily Beast

Percy Heath, a merry fellow, specialized in leading the Reverend Professor Doctor astray and had a lot of fun with him.

From The Daily Beast

As Sharpton now visited Tupac in prison, the rapper told him that his jailhouse friend was not a big fan of the reverend.

From The Daily Beast

The Dean of Blackburn, the Very Reverend Christopher Armstrong, said it was the biggest event it had hosted.

From The Daily Beast

He looked up through half closed eyes to see the Reverend standing over him.

From Project Gutenberg

There were five men and three women in the circus troupe, and among the four nuns was the grave reverend mother of a convent.

From Project Gutenberg

What she meant neither the Reverend John Dodd, or any other male person, could ever truly know.

From Project Gutenberg

Great had been her indignation at the want of respect shown to the Reverend John Dodd's cloth.

From Project Gutenberg

So Glavis (he is the Reverend's faithful lieutenant, you know), went out to look up Baptiste and have a talk with him.

From Project Gutenberg