How to pronounce reverend
Say it like REV-uh-rund. Reverend has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (REV).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce reverend. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- REV
- uh
- rund
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Reverend pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- REVSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
- uhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- rundKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of reverend
American and British speakers say reverend in essentially the same way: /ˈrɛvərənd/ in the US and /ˈrɛvərənd/ in the UK.
British respelling: REV-uh-rund.
What does reverend mean?
- a member of the clergy and a spiritual leader of the Christian Church
- a title of respect for a clergyman
- worthy of adoration or reverence
Where does reverend come from?
Borrowed from Middle French révérend, from Old French, from Latin future passive participle reverendus (“that is to be respected”), from deponent verb revereor (“to honor, revere”).
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Questions about saying reverend
How do you pronounce reverend?
Say REV-uh-rund. The American pronunciation is /ˈrɛvərənd/. In British English it is /ˈrɛvərənd/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in reverend?
Reverend has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (REV). Broken into parts: REV · uh · rund.
Do Americans and Brits say reverend the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈrɛvərənd/ and the British form is /ˈrɛvərənd/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.