venerable
venerable Lexical Profile
venerable Game Scores & Validity
• adjective
Accorded a great deal of respect, especially because of age, wisdom, or character.
"The venerable professor retired after fifty years of dedicated teaching and groundbreaking research."
Used as a title for an archdeacon in the Anglican Church, or in the Roman Catholic Church for a deceased person who has attained a certain degree of sanctity prior to beatification.
"The ceremony at the cathedral was led by the Venerable Archdeacon of York."
Word Nuance & Usage
Do not confuse 'venerable' (commanding respect due to age, wisdom, or dignity) with 'vulnerable' (susceptible to physical or emotional harm).
• Rhymes for venerable
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
Borrowed in the 15th century from Old French 'venerable' and directly from Latin 'venerabilis' ('worthy of reverence'), from the verb 'venerari' ('to worship or revere'), which shares a Proto-Indo-European root with 'Venus', the Roman goddess of love.