Verehrte

Verehrte is a German adjective derived from the verb verehren, meaning to revere or honor. In formal written language it functions as a respectful descriptor used in direct address, especially in salutations.

In practice, Verehrte appears most prominently in the fixed opening phrase Verehrte Damen und Herren, which corresponds to Dear ladies and gentlemen. In such usages it signals esteem for the audience. The form is typically capitalized as the first word of a salutation at the top of a letter or speech. When addressing individuals, variants such as Verehrter Herr Professor or Verehrte Frau Doktor are possible, though more common formal openings in contemporary German remain Sehr geehrte/r.

Forms and grammar can vary by gender and number. The phrase Verehrte Damen und Herren is a plural, highly formal address. Singular forms would be Verehrter Herr or Verehrte Frau, depending on the gender of the addressee, but these are less frequent in everyday correspondence than their “Sehr geehrte” equivalents.

Historical and contemporary use. Verehrte is associated with ceremonial, religious, or highly formal contexts and can appear in invitations, ceremonial speeches, or official announcements. In modern business correspondence, Sehr geehrte remains the standard greeting; Verehrte may sound more archaic or at least more ceremonious. Its usage thus helps convey a specific tone—respectful, solemn, or traditional.

See also. Verehren (to revere), Geehrte (form of address in other contexts), and the related expressions used in German formal correspondence.