What does reverer mean?
A reverer is a person who holds someone or something in deep respect, awe, or admiration. The word is especially appropriate when the admiration is strong, sustained, or devoted, as in “a reverer of nature” or “a reverer of ancient poetry.” Its ending turns an attitude into a person: the admirer becomes the reverer. Reverer has a formal, literary quality and is less common in everyday speech than admirer, devotee, or enthusiast. It should also be distinguished from revere, the standard verb expressing the action of respecting or venerating. The related noun reverence denotes the respect or admiration itself rather than the person who feels it. Although people may commonly speak of admiring someone greatly, they are more likely to call that person an admirer than a reverer; reverer conveys a somewhat more intense or ceremonious sense of esteem.
nounA person who holds someone or something in deep respect, awe, or admiration; an admirer or devotee.
- A person who holds someone or something in deep respect, awe, or admiration.
"She was a lifelong reverer of ancient poetry."
"The young scholar became a devoted reverer of Renaissance art."
"He was known as a reverer of tradition and an opponent of radical change."
The regular plural is rarely needed because the noun itself is uncommon.
"Ancient traditions had their reverers in every generation."
A reverer is not the admiration itself, but the person who carries it.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does reverer come from?
The English noun was formed from revere with the suffix -er, meaning “one who does something.” Revere comes from Latin reverēri, “to respect, worship, or venerate,” an intensive form related to verēre, “to fear.” The same Latin family produced English words including reverence, reverent, and reverend.
How reverer is actually used
As a noun, reverer is relatively uncommon and often has a formal or literary tone.
Easily confused with reverer
A reverer is a person who admires or venerates; revere is the standard verb meaning to hold someone or something in deep respect.