Bow vs. Reverence: What's the Difference?
Edited by Harlon Moss || By Janet White || Updated on October 11, 2023
A bow is a gesture of bending forward, while reverence denotes deep respect or awe for someone or something.
Key Differences
Bow and reverence, both representing forms of showing respect, carry nuanced distinctions in their meanings. A bow is a physical act where a person bends forward, typically at the waist, as a gesture of greeting, gratitude, or acknowledgment. In various cultures, the depth and duration of a bow might signify the degree of respect or courtesy being offered. On the other hand, reverence is a feeling or attitude of deep respect, awe, or even veneration. It's more than just a gesture; it's an emotion, a profound sentiment directed towards someone or something deemed worthy of such honor.
The term "bow" often brings to mind images of individuals greeting each other in certain cultures, or actors on a stage acknowledging applause. It's an action that can be observed and is often dictated by cultural or social norms. Reverence, however, resides deep within an individual's feelings and beliefs. It's an internal state of admiration, often for something or someone perceived as sacred or venerable.
It's essential to recognize that while one can bow without feeling reverence, the act of bowing can also be a manifestation of the reverence felt within. For instance, in religious contexts, a bow might be performed before a deity, encapsulating both the physical gesture and the profound respect. Conversely, reverence can exist without any physical gesture accompanying it. One can feel reverence towards a concept, an idea, or a person, without necessarily showing it through a bow.
Understanding the difference between bow and reverence is crucial for navigating social and cultural interactions. While a bow is a visible sign, easily recognized and interpreted, reverence is personal, residing in the heart and mind. Both, however, play vital roles in human interactions, shaping how respect, admiration, and acknowledgment are conveyed and received.
Comparison Chart
Definition
A gesture of bending forward
Deep respect or awe
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Nature
Physical gesture
Feeling or attitude
Visibility
Observable
Internal, often not visible
Context
Cultural, social, and religious practices
Emotional, spiritual, and can be related to admiration
Dependency
Can be independent or a sign of reverence
Can exist without any accompanying gesture
Bow and Reverence Definitions
Bow
A gesture of bending forward at the waist.
After the performance, the actor took a bow.
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Reverence
Deep respect or awe for someone or something.
The ancient artifact was treated with reverence.
Bow
A curved weapon used for shooting arrows.
He expertly aimed the arrow with his bow.
Reverence
A gesture indicative of deep respect.
They showed reverence when entering the temple.
Bow
A curved piece used to play stringed musical instruments.
She rosined her bow before playing the violin.
Reverence
An act of showing respect, especially in religious contexts.
His reverence before the altar was deeply moving.
Bow
A decorative knot tied with a looped ribbon.
She wore a dress adorned with a large pink bow.
Reverence
A feeling of profound awe and respect and often love.
Bow
The front section of a ship or boat.
Reverence
An act showing respect, especially a bow or curtsy.
Bow
Either of the sides of this front section
The starboard bow.
Reverence
Reverence Used as a form of address for certain members of the Christian clergy
Your Reverence.
Bow
The oar or the person wielding the oar closest to the bow in a racing shell.
Reverence
To consider or treat with profound awe and respect; venerate
"There was nobody whom she reverenced as she reverenced him" (Virginia Woolf).
Bow
An inclination of the head or body, as in greeting, consent, courtesy, acknowledgment, submission, or veneration.
Reverence
Veneration; profound awe and respect, normally in a sacred context.
Bow
A bent, curved, or arched object.
Reverence
An act of showing respect, such as a bow.
Bow
A weapon consisting of a curved, flexible strip of material, especially wood, strung taut from end to end and used to launch arrows.
Reverence
The state of being revered.
Bow
An archer.
Reverence
A form of address for some members of the clergy.
Your reverence
Bow
Archers considered as a group.
Reverence
That which deserves or exacts manifestations of reverence; reverend character; dignity; state.
Bow
(Music) A rod having horsehair drawn tightly between its two raised ends, used in playing instruments of the violin and viol families.
Reverence
(transitive) To show or feel reverence to.
Bow
A stroke made by this rod.
Reverence
Profound respect and esteem mingled with fear and affection, as for a holy being or place; the disposition to revere; veneration.
If thou be poor, farewell thy reverence.
Reverence, which is the synthesis of love and fear.
When discords, and quarrels, and factions, are carried openly and audaciously, it is a sign the reverence of government islost.
Bow
A knot usually having two loops and two ends; a bowknot.
Reverence
The act of revering; a token of respect or veneration; an obeisance.
Make twenty reverences upon receiving . . . about twopence.
And each of them doeth all his diligenceTo do unto the feast reverence.
Bow
A frame for the lenses of a pair of eyeglasses.
Reverence
That which deserves or exacts manifestations of reverence; reverend character; dignity; state.
I am forced to lay my reverence by.
Bow
The part of such a frame passing over the ear.
Reverence
A person entitled to be revered; - a title applied to priests or other ministers with the pronouns his or your; sometimes poetically to a father.
Such a one as a man may not speak of, without he say. "Sir reverence."
Now lies he there,And none so poor to do him reverence.
Bow
A rainbow.
Reverence
To regard or treat with reverence; to regard with respect and affection mingled with fear; to venerate.
Let . . . the wife see that she reverence her husband.
Those that I reverence those I fear, the wise.
Bow
An oxbow.
Reverence
A profound emotion inspired by a deity;
The fear of God
Bow
To bend or curve downward; stoop.
Reverence
A reverent mental attitude
Bow
To incline the body or head or bend the knee in greeting, consent, courtesy, acknowledgment, submission, or veneration.
Reverence
Regard with feelings of respect and reverence; consider hallowed or exalted or be in awe of;
Fear God as your father
We venerate genius
Bow
To yield in defeat or out of courtesy; submit.
Reverence
An attitude of admiration or deference.
The students held their mentor in high reverence.
Bow
To bend (the head, knee, or body) to express greeting, consent, courtesy, acknowledgment, submission, or veneration.
Reverence
A title used for certain clerics in various religious traditions.
Reverence Smith led the congregation in prayer.
Bow
To convey (greeting, for example) by bending the body.
Bow
To escort deferentially
Bowed us into the restaurant.
Bow
To cause to acquiesce; submit.
Bow
To overburden
Grief bowed them down.
Bow
To bend (something) into the shape of a bow.
Bow
(Music) To play (a stringed instrument) with a bow.
Bow
To bend into a curve or bow.
Bow
(Music) To play a stringed instrument with a bow.
Bow
A weapon made of a curved piece of wood or other flexible material whose ends are connected by a string, used for shooting arrows.
Bow
A curved bend in a rod or planar surface, or in a linear formation such as a river (see oxbow).
Bow
A rod with horsehair (or an artificial substitute) stretched between the ends, used for playing various stringed musical instruments.
Bow
A stringed instrument (chordophone), consisting of a stick with a single taut cord stretched between the ends, most often played by plucking.
Bow
A type of knot with two loops, used to tie together two cords such as shoelaces or apron strings, and frequently used as decoration, such as in gift-wrapping.
Bow
Anything bent or curved, such as a rainbow.
Bow
The U-shaped piece which goes around the neck of an ox and fastens it to the yoke.
Bow
Either of the arms of a pair of spectacles, running from the side of the lens to behind the wearer's ear.
Bow
Any instrument consisting of an elastic rod, with ends connected by a string, employed for giving reciprocating motion to a drill, or for preparing and arranging hair, fur, etc., used by hatters.
Bow
(nautical) A crude sort of quadrant formerly used for taking the sun's altitude at sea.
Bow
(saddlery) Two pieces of wood which form the arched forward part of a saddletree.
Bow
The part of a key that is not inserted into the lock and that is used to turn the key.
Bow
A gesture, usually showing respect, made by inclining the head or bending forward at the waist; a reverence
He made a polite bow as he entered the room.
Bow
(nautical) The front of a boat or ship.
Bow
(rowing) The rower that sits in the seat closest to the bow of the boat.
Bow
Obsolete spelling of bough
Bow
C|en|Foods}} {{alternative form of bao; any of several Chinese buns and breads
Bow
To play music on (a stringed) instrument using a bow.
The musician bowed his violin expertly.
Bow
(intransitive) To become bent or curved.
The shelf bowed under the weight of the books.
Bow
(transitive) To make something bend or curve.
Bow
To exercise powerful or controlling influence over; to bend, figuratively; to turn; to incline.
Bow
(intransitive) To bend oneself as a gesture of respect or deference.
That singer always bows towards her audience for some reason.
Bow
To debut.
Bow
(intransitive) To defer (to something).
I bow to your better judgement in the matter.
Bow
(transitive) To give a direction, indication, or command to by bowing.
Bow
To cause to deviate from straightness; to bend; to inflect; to make crooked or curved.
We bow things the contrary way, to make them come to their natural straightness.
The whole nation bowed their necks to the worst kind of tyranny.
Bow
To exercise powerful or controlling influence over; to bend, figuratively; to turn; to incline.
Adversities do more bow men's minds to religion.
Not to bow and bias their opinions.
Bow
To bend or incline, as the head or body, in token of respect, gratitude, assent, homage, or condescension.
They came to meet him, and bowed themselves to the ground before him.
Bow
To cause to bend down; to prostrate; to depress,; to crush; to subdue.
Whose heavy hand hath bowed you to the grave.
Bow
To express by bowing; as, to bow one's thanks.
Bow
To bend; to curve.
Bow
To stop.
They stoop, they bow down together.
Bow
To bend the head, knee, or body, in token of reverence or submission; - often with down.
O come, let us worship and bow down: let us kneel before the Lord our maker.
Bow
To incline the head in token of salutation, civility, or assent; to make bow.
Admired, adored by all circling crowd,For wheresoe'er she turned her face, they bowed.
Bow
To play (music) with a bow.
Bow
An inclination of the head, or a bending of the body, in token of reverence, respect, civility, or submission; an obeisance; as, a bow of deep humility.
Bow
Anything bent, or in the form of a curve, as the rainbow.
I do set my bow in the cloud.
Bow
A weapon made of a strip of wood, or other elastic material, with a cord connecting the two ends, by means of which an arrow is propelled.
Bow
An ornamental knot, with projecting loops, formed by doubling a ribbon or string.
Bow
The U-shaped piece which embraces the neck of an ox and fastens it to the yoke.
Bow
An appliance consisting of an elastic rod, with a number of horse hairs stretched from end to end of it, used in playing on a stringed instrument.
Bow
An arcograph.
Bow
Any instrument consisting of an elastic rod, with ends connected by a string, employed for giving reciprocating motion to a drill, or for preparing and arranging the hair, fur, etc., used by hatters.
Bow
A rude sort of quadrant formerly used for taking the sun's altitude at sea.
Bow
Two pieces of wood which form the arched forward part of a saddletree.
Bow
The bending or rounded part of a ship forward; the stream or prow.
Bow
One who rows in the forward part of a boat; the bow oar.
Bow
A knot with two loops and loose ends; used to tie shoelaces
Bow
A slightly curved piece of resilient wood with taut horsehair strands, used in playing certain stringed instrument
Bow
Front part of a vessel or aircraft;
He pointed the bow of the boat toward the finish line
Bow
Curved piece of resilient wood with taut cord to propel arrows
Bow
Something curved in shape
Bow
Bending the head or body or knee as a sign of reverence or submission or shame
Bow
An appearance by actors or performers at the end of the concert or play in order to acknowledge the applause of the audience
Bow
A decorative interlacing of ribbons
Bow
A stroke with a curved piece of wood with taut horsehair strands that is used in playing stringed instruments
Bow
Bend one's knee or body, or lower one's head;
He bowed before the King
She bowed her head in shame
Bow
Submit or yield to another's wish or opinion;
The government bowed to the military pressure
Bow
Bend the head or the upper part of the body in a gesture of respect or greeting;
He bowed before the King
Bow
Bend one's back forward from the waist on down;
He crouched down
She bowed before the Queen
The young man stooped to pick up the girl's purse
Bow
Play on a string instrument
Bow
The front part of a ship.
The bow of the ship sliced through the waves.
FAQs
Can you give an example of a deep bow?
In Japan, a deep, prolonged bow often indicates profound respect.
Can reverence be directed towards inanimate objects?
Yes, like art or religious symbols.
Do all cultures interpret a bow the same way?
No, the meaning of a bow varies across cultures.
Is reverence always religious in nature?
No, one can feel reverence for people, ideas, or objects outside of religion.
Is bowing common in Western cultures?
It's less common than in some Asian cultures, but it's seen in performances or ceremonies.
Is a bow always a sign of respect?
Often, yes, but the context determines its meaning.
Can one show reverence without any physical gestures?
Absolutely, reverence is a feeling and can be internal.
Can reverence be learned?
Yes, through understanding and appreciation, one can cultivate reverence.
What emotions can reverence encompass?
It can include respect, awe, veneration, and admiration.
What's the opposite of reverence?
Disrespect or irreverence.
Can a nod be considered a type of bow?
Yes, a nod is a more subtle form of bowing.
Why do actors bow at the end of a performance?
To acknowledge and thank the audience.
Is bowing in martial arts a sign of reverence?
Yes, it often signifies respect towards the opponent or teacher.
About Author
Written by
Janet WhiteJanet White has been an esteemed writer and blogger for Difference Wiki. Holding a Master's degree in Science and Medical Journalism from the prestigious Boston University, she has consistently demonstrated her expertise and passion for her field. When she's not immersed in her work, Janet relishes her time exercising, delving into a good book, and cherishing moments with friends and family.
Edited by
Harlon MossHarlon is a seasoned quality moderator and accomplished content writer for Difference Wiki. An alumnus of the prestigious University of California, he earned his degree in Computer Science. Leveraging his academic background, Harlon brings a meticulous and informed perspective to his work, ensuring content accuracy and excellence.
