religious

American  

[ri-lij-uhs] / rɪˈlɪdʒ əs /

adjective

1. of, relating to, or concerned with religion.

   a religious holiday.

2. imbued with or exhibiting religion; pious; devout; godly.

   a religious man.

   Synonyms:

   reverent

   Antonyms:

   impious

3. scrupulously faithful; conscientious.

   religious care.

   Synonyms:

   rigorous, meticulous, strict, scrupulous

4. pertaining to or connected with a monastic or religious order.

5. appropriate to religion or to sacred rites or observances.

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noun

• religious
  plural

1. a member of a religious order, congregation, etc.; a monk, friar, or nun.

2. the religious, devout or religious persons.

   Each year, thousands of the religious make pilgrimages to the shrine.

religious British  

/ rɪˈlɪdʒəs /

adjective

1. of, relating to, or concerned with religion

2. 1. pious; devout; godly

   2. ( as collective noun ; preceded by the )

      the religious

3. appropriate to or in accordance with the principles of a religion

4. scrupulous, exact, or conscientious

5. Christianity of or relating to a way of life dedicated to religion by the vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience, and defined by a monastic rule

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noun

1. Christianity a member of an order or congregation living by such a rule; a monk, friar, or nun

Synonym Usage

Religious, devout, pious indicate a spirit of reverence toward God. Religious is a general word, applying to whatever pertains to faith or worship: a religious ceremony. Devout indicates a fervent spirit, usually genuine and often independent of outward observances: a deeply devout though unorthodox church member. Pious implies constant attention to, and extreme conformity with, outward observances. It can also suggest sham or hypocrisy: a pious hypocrite.

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• nonreligiousness
  noun
• religiousness
  noun
• ultrareligiousness
  noun
• antireligious
  adjective
• nonreligious
  adjective
• overreligious
  adjective
• prereligious
  adjective
• pseudoreligious
  adjective
• quasi-religious
  adjective
• ultrareligious
  adjective
• religiously
  adverb

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• religious
  plural

Etymology

Origin of religious

First recorded in 1175–1225; Middle English (from Old French ), from Latin religiōsus, equivalent to religi(ō) religion + -ōsus -ous

Explanation

Religious, besides meaning "having to do with religion," can also mean "acting as if something is a religion." If you have never missed a broadcast of your favorite TV show for the last five years, then you're religious about it. Just as religion is a broad concept with multiple manifestations, the word religious can be used in many contexts. You could literally be describing someone's particular religious duties as prescribed by his religion. If you have a religious temperament, you think about spiritual things a lot. If someone is a fanatic about football, you could describe him as a religious fan. That doesn't mean he thinks the football is God, just that he really, really cares.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

religious

"At the same time, we see the exact opposite direction demographically" as religious Jews become a greater proportion of the population, she said.

From Barron's ● Aug. 17, 2026

Unlike mainstream schools, madrasas take girls of all ages and some, especially those run privately, are teaching more than religious classes.

From BBC ● Aug. 14, 2026

Banks have maintained they don’t close accounts for political or religious reasons.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 14, 2026

It stores and distributes eagle remains, parts and feathers to federally recognized tribes for religious, cultural and ceremonial purposes.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 14, 2026

Link’s bar mitzvah was more than a religious service; it really changed people around here.

From "Linked" by Gordon Korman

Related Words

• doctrinal
• holy
• sacred
• sectarian
• theological