Reverend

UK: 'reverend', 'Reverend': /ˈrɛv^ərənd/

US: /ˈrɛvərənd, ˈrɛvrənd/

US: (rev′ər ənd, rev′rənd)

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

Reverend / ˈrɛvərənd/ adjective

1. a title of respect for a member of the clergy
   Abbreviations: Rev., Revd
   See also Right Reverend, Most Reverend

USAGE
Reverend with a surname alone (Reverend Smith), as a term of address ("Yes, Reverend"), or in the salutation of a letter (Dear Rev. Mr Smith) are all generally considered to be wrong usage. Preferred are (the) Reverend John Smith or Reverend Mr Smith and Dear Mr Smith

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

rev•er•end /ˈrɛvərənd, ˈrɛvrənd/   n. 

1. Religion (used, usually before a proper name, as a title of respect for a member of the clergy or a religious order):
   [Reverend* sometimes: the + ~] the Reverend Timothy Schade; Reverend Mother.
2. Religion, Informal Terms a member of the clergy, esp. a Protestant minister:
   [countable* usually singular] Perhaps the good reverend would stand over here.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

rev•er•end  (rev′ər ənd, rev′rənd), adj. 

1. Religion (cap.) (used as a title of respect applied or prefixed to the name of a member of the clergy or a religious order):
   Reverend Timothy Cranshaw; Reverend Mother.
2. worthy to be revered;
   entitled to reverence.
3. Religion pertaining to or characteristic of the clergy.

n. 

4. Religion, Informal Terms [Informal.] a member of the clergy.

• Latin reverendus worthy of being revered, gerund, gerundive of reverērī to revere¹
• late Middle English 1400–50

rev′er•end•ship′, n. 

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

reverend / ˈrɛvərənd/ adjective

1. worthy of reverence
2. relating to or designating a member of the clergy or the clergy in general

noun

1. a member of the clergy

Etymology: 15th Century: from Latin reverendus fit to be revered; see revere