reverend
A member of the clergy, typically used as a title of respect.
[C] Countable
This term functions primarily as an honorific rather than a descriptive adjective in modern usage. It carries a weight of formal ecclesiastical authority and social deference, signaling a specific rank within a church hierarchy. Using it without the definite article the often shifts it from a title to a direct address or a formal designation in a directory.
While it suggests a sense of holiness or piety, the word is deeply tied to institutional tradition. In secular or casual settings, calling someone a reverend can feel stiff or overly traditional, whereas within a religious community, it serves as a necessary marker of professional and spiritual standing.
Countable when referring to the individual person holding the clerical office.