venerable
/ˈven.ər.ə.bəl/ (bre, ipa) · [vˈɛnɚəbəl] /ˈven.ər.ə.bəl/ (ame, ipa) · [vˈɛnɚəbəl] /ˈve-nər(-ə)-bəl ˈven-rə-bəl/ (ame, mw)
venerable — adjective
- venerablepositive
- more venerablecomparative
- most venerablesuperlative
1. earning deep respect from others because the person, place, or institution has r
earning deep respect from others because the person, place, or institution has reached a great age, holds a high position, or carries strong religious or historical weight.
Niran led us into the venerable temple at the edge of the village.
attributive use before a concrete noun (building / institution)
Roya inherited a venerable wooden desk that had been in her family for six generations.
The venerable judge listened quietly as the young lawyer made her first argument.
Élise studies at one of the most venerable universities in northern France.
Devika spoke about the venerable tradition of family cooking that her grandmother had taught her.
- disreputable
implies a damaged reputation, the opposite of earned respect
用法筆記
Almost always attributive — placed directly before the noun (venerable + person/place/object/tradition). Subjects are typically things people associate with long history: institutions, buildings, traditions, family members of high standing. Rare in everyday speech; common in journalism, formal writing, and ceremonial contexts.
常見錯誤
2. a formal Anglican title placed before an archdeacon's name and written with a ca
a formal Anglican title placed before an archdeacon's name and written with a capital V; specific to senior clergy of that rank in the English national church.
The service was led by the Venerable Asher Greene, archdeacon of the diocese.
title pattern: the Venerable + first name + last name
Renata sent a polite letter addressed to the Venerable James Holloway.
Christopher introduced his guest as the Venerable Archdeacon of Salisbury.
The cathedral programme listed the Venerable Yael Bennett as guest preacher.
- Reverend
more general clerical title; the Venerable is specifically for archdeacons
文法句型
the Venerable + name
用法筆記
Distinct from sense 1: this is a title, capitalised and placed before a personal name, never used predicatively. Only applies to Anglican archdeacons. Do not confuse with sense 3 (Catholic) or sense 4 (Buddhist), which are separate religious titles.
常見錯誤
3. a formal Catholic title granted after death to someone whose life of holiness ha
a formal Catholic title granted after death to someone whose life of holiness has been officially recognised by Rome, marking the first stage on the path toward canonisation.
Chiara wrote her thesis about the life of the Venerable Matt Talbot, an Irish labourer.
title pattern: the Venerable + first name + last name
The bishop spoke about the Venerable Fulton Sheen during the morning homily.
Pilgrims gathered at the small chapel built in honour of the Venerable Augustus Tolton.
Kasia explained that the Venerable title is one step on the road toward becoming a saint.
- Servant of God
the stage before Venerable in the Catholic canonisation process
文法句型
the Venerable + name
用法筆記
Distinct from sense 2 (Anglican archdeacon, living) — sense 3 is given posthumously by the Catholic Church as the first formal step in the canonisation process. The person has not yet been beatified or canonised. Always capitalised and preceded by 'the'.
常見錯誤
4. used as a formal title placed before the monastic name of a Buddhist monk or nun
used as a formal title placed before the monastic name of a Buddhist monk or nun to show respect for their ordained status.
Jessica bowed as the Venerable Thich Quang entered the meditation hall.
title pattern: Venerable + monastic name
The Venerable Ajahn Sumedho gave a short talk on patience after the morning chanting.
Adisa wrote down every word the Venerable Master Hsing Yun said during the retreat.
Sophia greeted the Venerable nun at the entrance of the monastery in northern Thailand.
- Bhante
Pali honorific used in Theravada Buddhism; Venerable is the English equivalent
文法句型
Venerable + monastic name
用法筆記
Distinct from senses 2 and 3 — this is the standard English rendering of monastic respect titles such as Bhante / Ven. / Ayya. Often abbreviated 'Ven.' in writing. Used of living monks and nuns, unlike the Catholic sense 3 which is posthumous.