irreverence C2+ Topic:Abstract Ideas US /ɪˈrɛvərəns/ UK /ɪˈrevərəns/ See IPA manual Meanings 1 noun lack of due respect for sacred or serious things The comedian's irreverence toward authority delighted the rowdy crowd. Thesaurus Synonyms 1 noun · lack of due respect for... disrespectimpietyflippancyprofanitydisdainsacrilege ↔ Opposites reverencerespectpiety Word family Related forms irreverentreverencerevere Etymology AI details From Latin irreverentia, from in- 'not' plus reverentia 'reverence', from revereri 'to stand in awe of', from re- plus vereri 'to fear, respect'. irreverentia Latin vereri Latin View etymology graph -> Topics Abstract Ideas Word Formation & Derivatives External links Google Images Cambridge Dictionary Wiktionary # irreverence **Type:** Word **Level:** C2+ **Part of speech:** noun **IPA (US):** /ɪˈrɛvərəns/ **IPA (UK):** /ɪˈrevərəns/ ## Meanings 1. lack of due respect for sacred or serious things ## Examples - The comedian's irreverence toward authority delighted the rowdy crowd. ## Synonyms - disrespect - impiety - flippancy - profanity - disdain - sacrilege ## Antonyms - reverence - respect - piety ## Related Forms - irreverent - reverence - revere ## Roots and Affixes - Root: irreverentia - Root: vereri ## Etymology From Latin irreverentia, from in- 'not' plus reverentia 'reverence', from revereri 'to stand in awe of', from re- plus vereri 'to fear, respect'. ## AI Etymology Irreverence comes from Latin irreverentia, from in- 'not' plus reverentia 'reverence', from revereri 'to stand in awe of', from re- plus vereri 'to fear, respect'. The etymological trail includes Latin irreverentia, Latin vereri. The same word family includes irreverent, reverence, revere. Its current noun use means "lack of due respect for sacred or serious things". ## Topics - Abstract Ideas - Word Formation & Derivatives markdown