- Today's Word
Venerate
VEN-uh-rayt
Definition
- (verb) To deeply respect, admire, or hold in high regard.
Example
Generations of artists venerate Michelangelo as one of the greatest painters in history.
Fun Fact
Veneration is deeply embedded in many cultures and religions. In Buddhism, followers venerate the Buddha and sacred texts; in Christianity, saints are venerated for their faith and sacrifice. The practice extends beyond religion—national heroes, intellectual figures, and even objects (like the U.S. Constitution) can be venerated for their historical or moral significance..
(adjective) Giving a sign or warning that something momentous, often negative, is likely to happen; ominous.
The sudden silence before the storm felt portentous, as if the air itself were holding its breath.
Portentous comes from the Latin portentosus, meaning “full of omens,” derived from portentum, a sign or warning of future events. In ancient times, portents were believed to be messages from the gods—unusual natural occurrences that signaled major change, disaster, or destiny.