venerable
/ˈvɛn.ər.ə.bəl/- 1.
Deserving great respect because of old age, long history, or deep wisdom. It describes someone or something that people look up to with admiration and awe.
- The venerable professor had taught at this university for fifty years.
- This venerable temple has stood at the heart of the city for centuries.
- She turned to the venerable elder for guidance during the crisis.
- 2.
Used as a formal title or honorific for certain religious figures or clergy, especially in the Catholic or Anglican churches.
- The Venerable Bede was a monk and scholar in early medieval England.
- He was formally addressed as the Venerable after his appointment.
Adinary Nuance
Venerable sits in a cluster of words that all express respect — but each has a different flavour. Respected is everyday and neutral; a good manager or honest neighbour can be respected. Esteemed is warmer and more formal, used often in professional or academic writing. Revered suggests near-worship, usually for a moral hero or spiritual leader. Venerable is uniquely tied to age and long history as the source of that respect — if you call an institution or person venerable, you are saying the passage of time itself has earned them honour. You would not naturally call a young start-up "venerable," but you would call a hundred-year-old university that. Think of it as "respected because it has stood the test of time."
In other languages
- Vietnamese
- đáng kính
- Spanish
- respetable
- Chinese
- 受尊敬的
- Japanese
- 尊い
- Korean
- 존경받는
Etymology
From Latin "venerabilis," meaning "worthy of reverence," derived from "venerari" (to revere or worship). It entered English in the 15th century through Old French, keeping its core sense of deep, almost sacred respect.
Common phrases
Synonyms
Related words
Frequently asked questions
- Is 'venerable' a formal word?
- Yes, it leans formal and is more common in written English — academic writing, journalism, and speeches. In everyday spoken conversation, people are more likely to say 'respected' or 'legendary.'
- What is the difference between 'venerable' and 'revered'?
- 'Revered' suggests deep admiration that can apply to anyone — a young activist or a religious leader. 'Venerable' specifically adds the idea of old age or long history. Something venerable has earned respect *over time*.
- Can 'venerable' describe a person or only things like buildings and institutions?
- It can describe both. A venerable person is someone elderly and deeply respected. A venerable institution, temple, or tradition is one that has existed for a very long time and is held in high regard.
- Is 'venerable' ever used sarcastically?
- Yes, sometimes. Writers use it ironically to mock something old that has lost its usefulness but still gets undeserved respect — for example, 'the venerable tradition of ignoring students' feedback.'