devote

[dih-voht]

verb (used with object)

devoted, devoting 

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

Other Word Forms

• devotement 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

The adaptation of Victor Hugo’s 1862 novel is a real tearjerker, which is a huge part of its allure for devoted fans.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

In a more modern twist, there’s also social-media gold: the biggest YouTube accounts devoted to prospecting boast more than half a million followers.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

One of his few notable flaws was that he cared too much about others, and that he wanted to devote so much of his time and energy to making them happy — occasionally at his expense.

Read more on Salon

In a statement, she said she hoped her hereafter would be filled "with impossibly handsome men and devoted dogs".

Read more on BBC

Top managers devoted about 19% more time to one-on-one meetings with workers, for instance.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

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