Irreverence: meaning, definitions and examples

😜
Add to dictionary

irreverence

 

[ ɪˈrɛv(ə)rəns ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

lack of respect

Irreverence is the absence of proper respect or veneration, especially for something that is generally taken seriously or considered sacred. It is characterized by a disregard for traditions, customs, or authority.

Synonyms

disrespect, impertinence, insolence

Examples of usage

  • His irreverence towards the religious ceremony offended many of the attendees.
  • She was known for her irreverence towards authority figures.
  • The comedian's irreverence towards political correctness made him popular among younger audiences.
Context #2 | Noun

humorous lack of seriousness

Irreverence can also refer to a lighthearted or humorous lack of seriousness, especially when dealing with serious or solemn matters. It involves treating something with irreverent humor or mockery.

Synonyms

flippancy, levity, mockery

Examples of usage

  • The irreverence of the satirical cartoon offended some viewers but amused others.
  • The irreverence of the parody song made light of a serious issue in a clever way.

Translations

Translations of the word "irreverence" in other languages:

🇵🇹 irreverência

🇮🇳 असम्मान

🇩🇪 Respektlosigkeit

🇮🇩 ketidaksopanan

🇺🇦 неповага

🇵🇱 lekceważenie

🇯🇵 不敬 (ふけい)

🇫🇷 irrévérence

🇪🇸 irreverencia

🇹🇷 saygısızlık

🇰🇷 불경 (bulgyeong)

🇸🇦 عدم الاحترام

🇨🇿 neúcta

🇸🇰 neúcta

🇨🇳 不敬 (bùjìng)

🇸🇮 nespoštovanje

🇮🇸 óvirðing

🇰🇿 құрметсіздік

🇬🇪 უპატივცემულობა

🇦🇿 hörmətsizlik

🇲🇽 irreverencia

Etymology

The word 'irreverence' originated from the Latin word 'irreverentia', which is a combination of 'ir-' (not) and 'reverentia' (reverence). It first appeared in English in the late 14th century. The concept of irreverence has been a part of human behavior and expression for centuries, as people have often challenged authority and tradition through irreverent acts and words.

See also: reverential.

Word Frequency Rank

At rank #28,096, this word represents specialized academic or technical vocabulary. It's less frequently encountered but may be valuable in specific contexts.