French word

vénérable

Pronunciation

IPA/veneʁabl/

Meaning

  • adjectivevenerable

Example

Le vieil homme est vénérable.

The old man is venerable.

Illustration for vénérable (venerable)

More examples

Je parle souvent de mon vénérable grand-père.

I often speak of my venerable grandfather.

Core concept

A calm presence that commands respect through age, dignity, or recognized authority.

Common phrases

  • mon vénérable grand-père

    my venerable grandfather

  • une vénérable dame

    a venerable lady

Similar words

vieux: Aged or outdated, expressed in an informal everyday way.
âgé: Advanced in age.
respecté: Regarded with esteem and approval by many people.

Definition in French

Qui mérite le respect en raison de son âge, de sa dignité ou de son autorité.

Word origin

Vénérable was inherited through French from Latin venerabilis, 'worthy of reverence', related to venerari, 'to revere'.

Usage tips

  • Vénérable has the same form for masculine and feminine singular, while the plural form is vénérables.

Other meanings

  • time-honoredadjective

Opposites

Word lists with this word