• (RP) IPA: /ˈwɜːʃɪpfl̩/, /ˈwɔː-/
• (GA) IPA: /ˈwɝʃɪpfl̩/, /ˈwɔɹ-/

worshipful

1. Tending to worship#Verb|worship; showing reverence.
   • 1593, Tho[mas] Nashe, “The Foure Letters Confuted”, in The Apologie of Pierce Pennilesse. Or, Strange Newes, of the Intercepting Certaine Letters: […], Printed at London: By Iohn Danter, […], OCLC 222196160 ↗; republished as John Payne Collier, editor, Strange Newes, of the Intercepting Certaine Letters […] (Miscellaneous Tracts; Temp. Eliz. and Jac. I), [London: s.n., 1870], OCLC 906587369 ↗, page 30 ↗:

     [H]owe Dorbell comes to bee doctour none aſks, but doctour hee muſt bee to make him right worſhipfull.

2. (chiefly, Britain) Used as respectful form of address for a person or body of persons, especially in the name#Noun|name of a livery company. For example, Most Worshipful Grand Master of the Orange Order in Ireland.
   • 1823 December 23 (indicated as 1824)​, [Walter Scott], “Theatricals”, in St Ronan’s Well. [...] In Three Volumes, volume II, Edinburgh: Printed [by James Ballantyne and Co.] for Archibald Constable and Co.; London: Hurst, Robinson, and Co., OCLC 79179534 ↗, page 191 ↗:

     {...}} Mowbray, as Duke Theseus, stepped before the screen, and announcing the conclusion of the dramatic pictures which they had had the honour to present before the worshipful company, thanked the spectators for the very favourable reception which they have afforded; {{...}

• respectful
• reverent, reverential
• worshippy (informal)

• irreverent
• unworshipful

• worship
• worshipper

worshipful (plural worshipfuls)

1. (obsolete) One who is respected or worshipped.