What does irreverent mean?
Irreverent describes speech, behavior, or an attitude that shows little respect for convention, authority, religion, or other matters traditionally treated as serious. The word often suggests a playful willingness to mock or challenge established ideas, as in irreverent humor, but it can also imply deliberate offensiveness or contempt. Its meaning depends on context: a performer may be praised for an irreverent approach, while a visitor may be criticized for an irreverent attitude toward a sacred place. Irreverence is especially associated with satire, comedy, political commentary, and art that questions convention. The word is related to reverent, meaning respectful or deeply respectful, and conveys the opposite quality through the prefix ir-, meaning not.
adjectiveShowing a lack of respect for convention, authority, or things considered sacred. An irreverent attitude is playful, provocative, or dismissive rather than conventionally serious or deferential.
- Lacking respect for convention, authority, or social expectations.
- Disrespectful or dismissive of religious, sacred, or solemn subjects.
- Deliberately irreverent in tone, often expressing wit, mockery, or defiance.
"His irreverent remarks about the ceremony made the audience uncomfortable."
"The comedian's irreverent style challenged the solemnity of the occasion."
"His irreverent attitude toward corporate hierarchy made him popular with his colleagues."
Irreverence is the art of asking the question everyone else was too polite—or too nervous—to ask.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does irreverent come from?
Irreverent comes from the Latin irreverens, formed from the negative prefix in- and reverens, “reverent.” It entered English in the late 16th or early 17th century, when it was used especially for attitudes or behavior that did not show proper reverence. The related English words revere, reverence, and reverent come from the same Latin root, revereri, meaning “to honor or respect.”
Related word forms
How irreverent is actually used
The term can be approving when it describes witty or liberating humor, but it is often critical when it suggests disrespect, mockery, or an offensive disregard for authority or sacred subjects.
Easily confused with irreverent
Irreverent means lacking respect or treating something seriously; irrelevant means not related to the subject or having no bearing on it.