Irreverent means showing a lack of respect for things that are usually treated very seriously or with great respect. An irreverent joke about a solemn ceremony might make some people laugh and others frown. An irreverent student might crack jokes during a school assembly that's supposed to be serious.

The word doesn't necessarily mean being cruel or mean-spirited. Instead, it suggests a playful disregard for stuffiness and overly serious attitudes. A comedian might take an irreverent approach to discussing important topics, using humor to question why certain things are treated as untouchable. An irreverent book might poke fun at fairy tale conventions or make light of typically serious subjects.

You'll often hear irreverent used to describe comedy, art, or writing that challenges what we're “supposed” to take seriously. The opposite would be reverent, meaning deeply respectful. Whether irreverence is refreshing or inappropriate usually depends on the situation. Making irreverent comments during your friend's birthday party might be fine. During a memorial service, it usually would not be.