Bow vs. Reverence: What's the Difference?
Edited by Sumera Saeed || By Sawaira Riaz || 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.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 11, 2023
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.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 11, 2023
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.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 11, 2023
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.
Sara Rehman
Oct 11, 2023
Comparison Chart
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Context
Cultural, social, and religious practices
Emotional, spiritual, and can be related to admiration
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 11, 2023
Dependency
Can be independent or a sign of reverence
Can exist without any accompanying gesture
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 11, 2023
Bow and Reverence Definitions
Bow
A gesture of bending forward at the waist.
After the performance, the actor took a bow.
Aimie Carlson
Oct 11, 2023
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Reverence
Deep respect or awe for someone or something.
The ancient artifact was treated with reverence.
Harlon Moss
Oct 11, 2023
Bow
A curved weapon used for shooting arrows.
He expertly aimed the arrow with his bow.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 11, 2023
Reverence
A gesture indicative of deep respect.
They showed reverence when entering the temple.
Harlon Moss
Oct 11, 2023
Bow
A curved piece used to play stringed musical instruments.
She rosined her bow before playing the violin.
Aimie Carlson
Oct 11, 2023
Reverence
An act of showing respect, especially in religious contexts.
His reverence before the altar was deeply moving.
Aimie Carlson
Oct 11, 2023
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Bow
A decorative knot tied with a looped ribbon.
She wore a dress adorned with a large pink bow.
Janet White
Oct 11, 2023
Reverence
Reverence Used as a form of address for certain members of the Christian clergy
Your Reverence.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 18, 2023
Bow
The oar or the person wielding the oar closest to the bow in a racing shell.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 18, 2023
Reverence
To consider or treat with profound awe and respect; venerate
"There was nobody whom she reverenced as she reverenced him" (Virginia Woolf).
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 18, 2023
Bow
An inclination of the head or body, as in greeting, consent, courtesy, acknowledgment, submission, or veneration.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 18, 2023
Reverence
Veneration; profound awe and respect, normally in a sacred context.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 18, 2023
Bow
A weapon consisting of a curved, flexible strip of material, especially wood, strung taut from end to end and used to launch arrows.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 18, 2023
Reverence
That which deserves or exacts manifestations of reverence; reverend character; dignity; state.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 18, 2023
Bow
(Music) A rod having horsehair drawn tightly between its two raised ends, used in playing instruments of the violin and viol families.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 18, 2023
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.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 18, 2023
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.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 18, 2023
Reverence
That which deserves or exacts manifestations of reverence; reverend character; dignity; state.
I am forced to lay my reverence by.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 18, 2023
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.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 18, 2023
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.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 18, 2023
Bow
To incline the body or head or bend the knee in greeting, consent, courtesy, acknowledgment, submission, or veneration.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 18, 2023
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
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 18, 2023
Reverence
An attitude of admiration or deference.
The students held their mentor in high reverence.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 11, 2023
Bow
To bend (the head, knee, or body) to express greeting, consent, courtesy, acknowledgment, submission, or veneration.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 18, 2023
Reverence
A title used for certain clerics in various religious traditions.
Reverence Smith led the congregation in prayer.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 11, 2023
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.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 18, 2023
Bow
A curved bend in a rod or planar surface, or in a linear formation such as a river (see oxbow).
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 18, 2023
Bow
A rod with horsehair (or an artificial substitute) stretched between the ends, used for playing various stringed musical instruments.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 18, 2023
Bow
A stringed instrument (chordophone), consisting of a stick with a single taut cord stretched between the ends, most often played by plucking.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 18, 2023
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.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 18, 2023
Bow
The U-shaped piece which goes around the neck of an ox and fastens it to the yoke.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 18, 2023
Bow
Either of the arms of a pair of spectacles, running from the side of the lens to behind the wearer's ear.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 18, 2023
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.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 18, 2023
Bow
(nautical) A crude sort of quadrant formerly used for taking the sun's altitude at sea.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 18, 2023
Bow
(saddlery) Two pieces of wood which form the arched forward part of a saddletree.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 18, 2023
Bow
The part of a key that is not inserted into the lock and that is used to turn the key.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 18, 2023
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.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 18, 2023
Bow
C|en|Foods}} {{alternative form of bao; any of several Chinese buns and breads
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 18, 2023
Bow
To play music on (a stringed) instrument using a bow.
The musician bowed his violin expertly.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 18, 2023
Bow
(intransitive) To become bent or curved.
The shelf bowed under the weight of the books.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 18, 2023
Bow
To exercise powerful or controlling influence over; to bend, figuratively; to turn; to incline.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 18, 2023
Bow
(intransitive) To bend oneself as a gesture of respect or deference.
That singer always bows towards her audience for some reason.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 18, 2023
Bow
(intransitive) To defer (to something).
I bow to your better judgement in the matter.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 18, 2023
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.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 18, 2023
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.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 18, 2023
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.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 18, 2023
Bow
To cause to bend down; to prostrate; to depress,; to crush; to subdue.
Whose heavy hand hath bowed you to the grave.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 18, 2023
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.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 18, 2023
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.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 18, 2023
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.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 18, 2023
Bow
Anything bent, or in the form of a curve, as the rainbow.
I do set my bow in the cloud.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 18, 2023
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.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 18, 2023
Bow
An ornamental knot, with projecting loops, formed by doubling a ribbon or string.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 18, 2023
Bow
The U-shaped piece which embraces the neck of an ox and fastens it to the yoke.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 18, 2023
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.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 18, 2023
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.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 18, 2023
Bow
A rude sort of quadrant formerly used for taking the sun's altitude at sea.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 18, 2023
Bow
A slightly curved piece of resilient wood with taut horsehair strands, used in playing certain stringed instrument
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 18, 2023
Bow
Front part of a vessel or aircraft;
He pointed the bow of the boat toward the finish line
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 18, 2023
Bow
Bending the head or body or knee as a sign of reverence or submission or shame
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 18, 2023
Bow
An appearance by actors or performers at the end of the concert or play in order to acknowledge the applause of the audience
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 18, 2023
Bow
A stroke with a curved piece of wood with taut horsehair strands that is used in playing stringed instruments
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 18, 2023
Bow
Bend one's knee or body, or lower one's head;
He bowed before the King
She bowed her head in shame
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 18, 2023
Bow
Submit or yield to another's wish or opinion;
The government bowed to the military pressure
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 18, 2023
Bow
Bend the head or the upper part of the body in a gesture of respect or greeting;
He bowed before the King
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 18, 2023
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
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 18, 2023
FAQs
Can you give an example of a deep bow?
In Japan, a deep, prolonged bow often indicates profound respect.
Janet White
Oct 11, 2023
Can reverence be directed towards inanimate objects?
Yes, like art or religious symbols.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 11, 2023
Do all cultures interpret a bow the same way?
No, the meaning of a bow varies across cultures.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 11, 2023
Is reverence always religious in nature?
No, one can feel reverence for people, ideas, or objects outside of religion.
Harlon Moss
Oct 11, 2023
Is bowing common in Western cultures?
It's less common than in some Asian cultures, but it's seen in performances or ceremonies.
Harlon Moss
Oct 11, 2023
Is a bow always a sign of respect?
Often, yes, but the context determines its meaning.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 11, 2023
Can one show reverence without any physical gestures?
Absolutely, reverence is a feeling and can be internal.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 11, 2023
Can reverence be learned?
Yes, through understanding and appreciation, one can cultivate reverence.
Janet White
Oct 11, 2023
What emotions can reverence encompass?
It can include respect, awe, veneration, and admiration.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 11, 2023
Can a nod be considered a type of bow?
Yes, a nod is a more subtle form of bowing.
Sara Rehman
Oct 11, 2023
Why do actors bow at the end of a performance?
To acknowledge and thank the audience.
Harlon Moss
Oct 11, 2023
Is bowing in martial arts a sign of reverence?
Yes, it often signifies respect towards the opponent or teacher.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 11, 2023
About Author
Written by
Sawaira RiazSawaira is a dedicated content editor at difference.wiki, where she meticulously refines articles to ensure clarity and accuracy. With a keen eye for detail, she upholds the site's commitment to delivering insightful and precise content.
Edited by
Sumera SaeedSumera is an experienced content writer and editor with a niche in comparative analysis. At Diffeence Wiki, she crafts clear and unbiased comparisons to guide readers in making informed decisions. With a dedication to thorough research and quality, Sumera's work stands out in the digital realm. Off the clock, she enjoys reading and exploring diverse cultures.
