A venerable person deserves respect because they are old and wise.
Her Chinese friends referred to the Empress as their venerable ancestor.
...a venerable old man with white hair.
Synonyms: respected, august, sage, revered More Synonyms of venerable
2. adjective [usually ADJECTIVE noun]
Something that is venerable is impressive because it is old or important historically.
May Day has become a venerable institution.
The church has a long and venerable tradition of pastoral visits in the home.
venerable in British English
(ˈvɛnərəbəl)
adjective
1.
(esp of a person) worthy of reverence on account of great age, religious associations, character, position, etc
2.
(of inanimate objects) hallowed or impressive on account of historical or religious association
3.
ancient
venerable tomes
4. Roman Catholic Church
a title bestowed on a deceased person when the first stage of canonization has been accomplished and the person's holiness has been recognized in a decree of the official Church
5. Church of England
a title given to an archdeacon
Derived forms
venerability (ˌveneraˈbility) or venerableness (ˈvenerableness)
noun
venerably (ˈvenerably)
adverb
Word origin
C15: from Latin venerābilis, from venerārī to venerate
venerable in American English
(ˈvɛnərəbəl)
adjective
1.
worthy of respect or reverence by reason of age and dignity, character, or position
2.
impressive on account of age or historic or religious associations
a venerable monument
3. [V-]
a. Anglican Church
a title of reverence for an archdeacon
b. Roman CatholicChurch
a title of veneration for a dead person who may later be beatified
Derived forms
venerability (ˌveneraˈbility)
noun or ˈvenerableness
venerably (ˈvenerably)
adverb
Word origin
ME < MFr vénérable < L venerabilis, to be reverenced < venerari: see venerate
Examples of 'venerable' in a sentence
venerable
It was a noble experiment in democracy, an attempt to reform the Order's most venerable institutions, but it had failed.
Zindell, David THE BROKEN GOD (2003)
Trust a venerable institution like the College to have a passion for alphabetical order.
David Cavanagh MUSIC FOR BOYS (2003)
Would Christina have risked a confrontation with her family's venerable elder?
Mosco, Maisie OUT OF THE ASHES (2003)
In other languages
venerable
British English: venerable ADJECTIVE
person A venerable person deserves respect because they are old and wise.
He was a venerable old gentleman.
American English: venerable
Brazilian Portuguese: venerável
Chinese: > 令人尊敬的因年高或睿智
European Spanish: venerable
French: vénérable
German: ehrwürdig
Italian: venerabile
Japanese: 尊い
Korean: 공경할 만한
European Portuguese: venerável
Latin American Spanish: venerable
British English: venerable ADJECTIVE
thing Something that is venerable is impressive because it is old or important historically.
The holiday has become a venerable institution.
American English: venerable
Brazilian Portuguese: venerável
Chinese: > 历史悠久的因年高或睿智
European Spanish: venerable
French: vénérable
German: ehrwürdig
Italian: venerabile
Japanese: 由緒ある
Korean: 신망 있는
European Portuguese: venerável
Latin American Spanish: venerable
(adjective)
Definition
(of a person) entitled to respect because of great age or wisdom
a venerable old man with white hair
Synonyms
respected
august
sage
My parents were always on hand to offer sage advice.
revered
honoured
wise
She has the air of a wise woman.
esteemed
reverenced
Additional synonyms
in the sense of sage
Definition
very wise or knowledgeable, esp. as the result of age or experience
My parents were always on hand to offer sage advice.