irreverently

IPA/ɪˈrevərəntli/
IPA/ɪˈrevərəntli/

irreverently — adverb

1. showing too little respect by treating serious, sacred, or respected people or t

1.adverbC2
Definition

showing too little respect by treating serious, sacred, or respected people or things too casually or mockingly

Example

Nora joked irreverently during the museum tour, making the guide frown.

joked irreverently in a formal setting

Stefan spoke irreverently about the judge, even inside the courtroom.

spoke irreverently about an authority figure

Common collocations
  • speak irreverently
  • joke irreverently
  • laugh irreverently
  • talk irreverently about religion
  • answer irreverently
Synonyms
  • disrespectfully

    broader and more neutral; it does not always suggest joking or mocking

  • flippantly

    emphasises a careless, light tone more than direct insult

  • mockingly

    focuses on making fun of someone or something openly

Antonyms
  • respectfully

    shows care, politeness, or proper regard

  • reverently

    shows deep respect, especially toward something sacred

Grammar Patterns

modifies verbs of speaking, joking, laughing, or behaving toward serious or sacred subjects

Usage Note

Usually used with verbs of speaking, joking, laughing, or commenting about religion, ceremonies, authority, or other respected subjects. It is narrower than 'rudely' because it suggests treating something important as if it did not deserve serious respect.

Common Mistakes

He made an irreverently joke about the funeral.
He made an irreverent joke about the funeral.
Use the adjective before a noun; 'irreverently' is the adverb form.
The clerk answered irreverently when I asked for a bag.
The clerk answered rudely when I asked for a bag.
'Irreverently' is usually for disrespect toward something serious, sacred, or highly respected, not an ordinary unfriendly reply.

Word family

  • revere
    verbC1
  • reverent
    adjectiveC2
  • irreverent
    adjectiveC2
  • reverence
    nounC2

Synonym discussion

Sense: adverb/1

'Irreverently' means showing too little respect for something people expect you to treat seriously, such as religion, royalty, or a formal ceremony. 'Disrespectfully' is broader and can describe any rude lack of respect, even in ordinary daily situations. 'Flippantly' stresses a light, careless tone, often suggesting that the speaker does not take the subject seriously enough. 'Mockingly' goes further by highlighting open ridicule. Someone might speak irreverently about a prayer by making jokes, but speak disrespectfully to a waiter by being impolite. If a student answers mockingly, the aim is to make fun of the teacher, not just sound too casual.

irreverently ↗disrespectfully ↗flippantly ↗mockingly ↗

Common collocations

Adverbs

Phrases

  • speak irreverently about something
  • laugh irreverently during a ceremony

Prepositions

Etymology

LatinEnglish

Irreverently comes from the adjective 'irreverent', plus the adverb ending '-ly'. The base idea goes back to the Latin verb 'revereri', meaning to feel deep respect or awe. In English, the negative prefix 'ir-' was added to create 'irreverent', and 'irreverently' developed as the form used to describe speech or behaviour that treats respected or sacred things too casually.