devout

[dih-vout]

adjective

devouter, devoutest 

1. devoted to divine worship or service; pious; religious.

   a devout Catholic.

   Antonyms: irreverent

2. expressing devotion or piety.

   devout prayer.

3. earnest or sincere; hearty.

   He had a devout allegiance to the political regime.

   Synonyms: ardent, fervent, serious, intense

devout

/ dɪˈvaʊt /

adjective

1. deeply religious; reverent

2. sincere; earnest; heartfelt

   a devout confession

Other Word Forms

• devoutness noun
• devoutly adverb
• nondevout adjective
• nondevoutly adverb
• nondevoutness noun
• undevout adjective
• undevoutly adverb
• undevoutness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of devout¹

First recorded in 1175–1225; Middle English, from Anglo-French, Old French devo(u)t, from Late Latin dēvotus, Latin: “devoted”; devote

Word History and Origins

Origin of devout¹

C13: from Old French devot, from Late Latin dēvōtus, from Latin: faithful; see _devote

Synonym Study

See religious.

Example Sentences

Laura is an older woman, highly educated, actively devout, intelligent, resourceful, good-humored and a long-time resident of a community that struggles to balance its relative wealth with the neediness of surrounding communities.

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While acknowledging her mother's influence and thanking her for not forcing her into a white-collar job, as a devout Christian she also feels that God had a role.

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Born in 1951, the 74-year-old devout Roman Catholic was the son of a cattle herder and the eighth of nine children.

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A devout Orthodox Christian, he frequently attends church and those around him insist he is in good physical and mental health.

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Kirk, a devout Christian, professed viewpoints on gender, race and abortion that drew backlash from many liberals, especially on the campuses he toured.

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Related Words

• adoring www.thesaurus.com
• ardent 
• faithful 
• fervent 
• passionate 
• pious 
• religious 
• sincere 
• zealous