devotion

[dih-voh-shuhn]

noun

1. profound dedication, especially to religion.

2. earnest attachment to a cause, person, etc.

   Synonyms: ardor, zeal

3. an assignment or appropriation to any purpose, cause, etc..

   the devotion of one's wealth and time to scientific advancement.

4. Ecclesiastical.,  Often devotions religious observance or worship; a form of prayer or worship for special use.

devotion

/ dɪˈvəʊʃən /

noun

1. (often foll by to) strong attachment (to) or affection (for a cause, person, etc) marked by dedicated loyalty

2. religious zeal; piety

3. (often plural) religious observance or prayers

Other Word Forms

• predevotion noun
• superdevotion noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of devotion¹

First recorded in 1150–1200; Middle English devocioun, from Anglo-French, from Late Latin dēvōtiōn-, stem of dēvōtiō “consecration, enchantment, vow”; equivalent to devote + -ion

Example Sentences

“The Fate of Ophelia” describes a lover whose devotion saved Swift from meeting the same bleak end as Shakespeare’s doomed character in “Hamlet.”

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But that devotion to exposing corruption comes at a price frequently paid by the communities least deserving of the blowback.

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It’s terrifying to love someone this much, to give them the full force of your devotion only to get locked outside.

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Steve Annear was struck by Gibson’s devotion to seeking a Parkinson’s cure, which had become the focus of the Kirk Gibson Foundation.

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And yet these big gatherings are not where I hear the devotion.

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Related Words

• adherence 
• adoration 
• affection 
• allegiance 
• attachment 
• dedication 
• deference 
• enthusiasm 
• faithfulness 
• fealty 
• fervor 
• fidelity 
• intensity 
• love 
• passion 
• piety 
• reverence 
• sincerity 
• worship 
• zeal 

When To Use

What are other ways to say devotion?

The noun devotion refers to profound dedication or earnest attachment to a cause, person, or deity. How does devotion compare to love and affection? Learn more on Thesaurus.com.