devote

[ dih-voht ]

verb (used with object)

, de·vot·ed, de·vot·ing.

1. to give up or appropriate to or concentrate on a particular pursuit, occupation, purpose, cause, etc.:

   to devote one's time to reading.

   Synonyms: consign, apply, assign

2. to appropriate by or as if by a vow; set apart or dedicate by a solemn or formal act; consecrate:

   She devoted her life to God.

3. to commit to evil or destruction; doom.

devote

/ dɪˈvəʊt /

verb

1. to apply or dedicate (oneself, time, money, etc) to some pursuit, cause, etc
2. obsolete.
   to curse or doom

Derived Forms

• deˈvotement, noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of devote¹

First recorded in 1580–90; from Latin dēvōtus “vowed,” past participle of dēvovēre “to vow,” from dē- de- + vovēre “to vow” ( vow )

Word History and Origins

Origin of devote¹

C16: from Latin dēvōtus devoted, solemnly promised, from dēvovēre to vow; see de- , vow

Synonym Study

Devote, dedicate, consecrate share the sense of assigning or applying someone or something to an activity, function, or end. Devote, though it has some overtones of religious dedication, is the most general of the three terms: He devoted his free time to mastering the computer. Dedicate is more solemn and carries an ethical or moral tone: We are dedicated to the achievement of equality for all. Consecrate, even in nonreligious contexts, clearly implies a powerful and sacred dedication: consecrated to the service of humanity.

Example Sentences

Founded and opened to the public in 1960, Storm King was intended as a museum devoted to Hudson River School painting.

From Washington Post

So serious was Magpayo about coaching that he sold his company so he could devote all of his attention to pursuing a full-time position.

From Washington Post

Ehrlich devotes lots of space to fascinating acquaintances like Jens Danielsen, a hunter in northern Greenland whom she first introduced to readers in her book This Cold Heaven.

From Outside Online

There are entire corners of TikTok devoted to fast food hacks, elaborate “secret” orders, trying and reviewing new menu items, or influencers simply sharing their regular orders.

From Vox

Barrera suggested that the Petco Park vaccination super station should have lanes devoted solely to educators.

From Voice of San Diego

Yet both parties also devote millions each midterm to rally their bases and get out the vote.

From The Daily Beast

“They would not be able to devote themselves so completely to service if they had a husband or kids,” asserts Piazza.

From The Daily Beast

You could devote the remainder of your life to the study of Arabic and you'd never truly be able to communicate with these people.

From The Daily Beast

You asked us at that graduation so many years ago to devote our personal lives not just to doing well but to doing good.

From The Daily Beast

When we started the theater, we decided to devote each play to a topic that is intentionally not discussed.

From The Daily Beast

Many had predicted that Robert would devote himself to Mrs. Pontellier when he arrived.

From Project Gutenberg

Probably they do not devote quite as much time to it as our caballeros, who are quite adepts in the science.

From Project Gutenberg

Berlin was equally cut off from competition, for Berlin had to devote herself to the task of financing war for Germany.

From Project Gutenberg

It was a time of day when Ki Pak was generally free from any official duty, and he was glad to devote a little time to his son.

From Project Gutenberg

Messrs. Gaze and Sons had ordered their guide (or dragoman as he was called) to meet us and devote himself to our service.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• allot
• apply
• assign
• dedicate
• donate
• give
• give away
• present