What does reverend mean?
Reverend is chiefly used as a respectful title for a member of the clergy or an ordained religious minister, especially when placed before a name: Reverend Smith, Reverend Dr. Patel, or simply Reverend. It may also function as a noun meaning a clergyman or minister, though that use sounds more informal and dated than the title. The word carries associations of religious office, dignity, respect, and traditional formality, and it remains familiar in both British and American English. Its older meaning, “worthy of reverence,” survives in literary usage and explains the closely related words reverence, reverent, and revered. Because the word can refer both to a person and to the status or quality of being revered, it is especially useful when discussing religious titles, formal forms of address, and the history of English honorifics.
A respectful title used before the name of a member of the clergy or ordained religious minister. In older literary use, it means worthy of reverence or respect.
"Reverend Thomas addressed the meeting from the pulpit."
Commonly capitalized as a title and often abbreviated “Rev.” before a surname.
A clergyman, minister, or other member of the clergy; the Reverend.
"He was known throughout the town as a kind and learned reverend."
The common-noun use is less formal than the title and now sounds somewhat old-fashioned.
Usually lowercase when referring collectively to members of the clergy; capital “Reverends” is generally used only in formal direct address.
"Several reverends from local churches attended the interfaith meeting."
Now a familiar clerical title, “reverend” originally meant “worthy of reverence”—a meaning still echoed by its cousins reverence, reverent, and revered.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does reverend come from?
The word entered Middle English from Old French reverend, ultimately from Latin reverendus, a form meaning “to be revered” or “worthy of reverence.” It developed from Latin revereri, “to revere or worship,” which also produced related English words including reverence, reverent, and revered. Early use emphasized worthiness of respect before the word became established as a title for members of the clergy.
How reverend is actually used
The word is formal and traditionally ecclesiastical. “Reverend” is commonly capitalized when used as a title, while the noun “a reverend” is now somewhat dated and informal. The older sense “worthy of reverence” survives mainly in literary and historical writing.
Easily confused with reverend
Reverend is an ecclesiastical title, whereas reverent is an adjective describing respect or reverence.
Revered means held in high esteem, while Reverend identifies or addressing a member of the clergy.