devout
Americanadjective
-
devoted to divine worship or service; pious; religious.
a devout Catholic.
- Antonyms:
- irreverent
-
expressing devotion or piety.
devout prayer.
-
earnest or sincere; hearty.
He had a devout allegiance to the political regime.
adjective
-
deeply religious; reverent
-
sincere; earnest; heartfelt
a devout confession
Synonym Usage
See religious.
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of devout
First recorded in 1175–1225; Middle English, from Anglo-French, Old French devo(u)t, from Late Latin dēvotus, Latin: “devoted”; see devote
Explanation
To be devout is to be deeply devoted to one's religion or to another belief, cause, or way of life. If you're reading this, you're probably a devout believer in improving your vocabulary. Devout is often used to describe religious individuals, but this word also pops up in the context of sports fans — a fact that may shed some light on the role of sports in today's society. However, while it's usually acceptable for a devout individual to miss work for religious holidays, devout sports fans have a tougher time convincing their boss to let them off for the big game.
Vocabulary lists containing devout
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
These dozen or so new worshippers - clustered around a band called Present Tense - were devout but disillusioned with traditional Anglican worship.
From BBC ● Oct. 3, 2026
Even when the devout Christian decided to retire, he found a way to be of public service.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 18, 2026
"The 1851 memoir, by contrast, was a spiritual redemption story, with Byfield tracing his progress from rebellious sinner to devout and repentant Christian."
From Science Daily ● Sep. 7, 2026
A devout Christian, she also became a supporter of gay rights.
From Barron's ● Aug. 25, 2026
Even the most devout intellectuals—the Jesuits—were torn between the old, Aristotelian ways and the new philosophies that included zero and the void, infinity and the infinite.
From "Zero: The Biography of a Dangerous Idea" by Charles Seife
The devouter portion of the people still pray, and on the whole, live sober, righteous and godly lives; but multitudes are discouraged, and take themselves away.
From Modern Skepticism: A Journey Through the Land of Doubt and Back Again A Life Story by Joseph Barker
Mrs. Orr, devouter votary than I, explains that Browning meant "that everything which disturbs the equal balance of human life gives a vital impulse to the soul."
From Browning's Heroines by Maxwell Armfield
They are nests built with faithfulness and affection, and through them one seems to get a glimpse of devouter, sturdier times.
From Winter Sunshine by John Burroughs
After which he procured them food and medicines, which he begged from the devouter sort, and himself attended them both day and night.
From The works of John Dryden, now first collected in eighteen volumes. Volume 16 by Sir Walter Scott
Robinson Crusoe on his island could not have had a devouter thankfulness when he recovered the articles from the wreck than we had in the contemplation of our treasure.
From The Wayfarers by J. C. Snaith
More fervid lines have seldom flowed from his spirit in its devoutest mood, than some awakened by the sounds and sights of a happy day in May—to him—though no church-bell was heard—a Sabbath.
From Recreations of Christopher North, Volume 2 by John Wilson
But Christ has our devoutest love and gratitude, and our profoundest reverence.
From Modern Skepticism: A Journey Through the Land of Doubt and Back Again A Life Story by Joseph Barker
Never had I felt this scorching flame, I to whom love had appeared only in the form of devoutest worship.
From Letters of Two Brides by Honoré de Balzac
The ancients worshiped in her temple, but to them all, even the devoutest, she was ever an "Unknown God."
From History of Woman Suffrage, Volume II by Elizabeth Cady Stanton
The religion of Success no longer held him as its devoutest worshiper.
From The Blazed Trail by Stewart Edward White
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Get a wordDefinitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
