irreverent

/ɪˈrevərənt/ (bre, ipa) · /ɪˈrevərənt/ (ame, ipa) · /i-ˈre-v(ə-)rənt ˌi(r)-, -ˈre-vərnt/ (ame, mw)

irreverent — adjective

  • irreverentpositive
  • more irreverentcomparative
  • most irreverentsuperlative

1. treating serious subjects, important people, or long-held traditions as if they

1.形容詞C1
釋義

treating serious subjects, important people, or long-held traditions as if they do not deserve respect — often in a playful, teasing, or deliberately bold way.

例句

Amir's irreverent comments about the principal's speech earned him a week of detention.

irreverent + noun (comments) describing speech toward an authority figure

A theatre troupe put on an irreverent show mocking the country's most sacred traditions.

同義詞
  • disrespectful

    More general; can describe any rude behaviour toward people or things. 'Irreverent' is narrower — aimed at things others hold sacred.

  • impudent

    Focuses on bold rudeness toward an authority figure; more confrontational than irreverent.

  • flippant

    Describes a casual, unserious tone about something serious; overlaps with irreverent but lacks the element of challenging tradition.

  • cheeky

    British, more playful and less severe than irreverent; often used for children or light teasing.

反義詞
  • reverent

    Direct opposite — showing deep respect for something sacred or important.

  • respectful

    General opposite; showing proper regard for others or for traditions.

  • solemn

    Describes a serious, earnest tone that is the opposite of irreverent humor.

文法句型

irreverent + noun (humor / joke / comment / attitude)

用法筆記

Frequently describes humor, comedy, art, or comments that deliberately treat serious subjects lightly. Unlike 'disrespectful', which can describe any rude behaviour toward a person, 'irreverent' typically targets institutions, ideas, or traditions that are widely venerated.

常見錯誤

❌The student was irreverent to the teacher.
✅The student was disrespectful to the teacher.
💡'Irreverent' is used for attitudes toward institutions, traditions, or sacred things, not for direct rudeness toward a person.
❌He made an irreverent mistake in the report.
✅He made a careless mistake in the report.
💡'Irreverent' has nothing to do with carelessness or mistakes; it is about a lack of respect.