The Reverend

The Reverend is an honorary prefix added to the names of Christian clergy and ministers. It is sometimes also used by ministers of other religions. Common abreviations include "the Revd." and "the Rev.", or simply "Revd" and "Rev".

Related Topics:
Christian - Clergy - Minister

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It comes from the Latin "reverendus" meaning "that which is to be revered".

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It is traditionally used with Christian name (or initials) and surname, e.g. "The Reverend John Smith" or "The Reverend J. F. Smith". Use of the prefix with the surname alone, e.g. "The Reverend Smith" is considered a solecism in traditional circles (although "The Reverend Mr Smith" is correct, if slightly archaic). So also with the use of the prefix as a mode of address: traditionally, priests are referred to as "Mr Smith" or "Father Smith" unless they have another title, such as Canon, in which case they are "Canon Smith". More commonly, priests are addressed simply by the office they hold, such as "Vicar", "Rector" or "Archdeacon", or as "Father" or "Padre". A clergyman may be addressed "Reverend Sir" but not "Reverend" alone.

Related Topics:
Solecism - Canon - Vicar - Rector

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Note that in all these examples "reverend" is used as an adjective before someone's name, in much the same way that honorable (as used for public officials) is. It is not a noun and it is not a synonym for "minister". Thus, in traditional usage it would be incorrect to say that someone "is a reverend", using the word as the name of a job or role.

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In the United States in the 20th and 21st centuries, despite the protests of the traditional, it is very common to find clergy referred to as "Reverend John Smith," without the "the"; and addressed as "Reverend Smith" — to the extent that this usage may be said to be sanctioned by use.

Related Topics:
United States - 20th - 21st centuries

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