devoted
Americanadjective
adjective
-
feeling or demonstrating loyalty or devotion; ardent; devout
-
set apart, dedicated, or consecrated
Other Word Forms
- devotedly adverb
- devotedness noun
- overdevoted adjective
- overdevotedly adverb
- overdevotedness noun
- quasi-devoted adjective
- quasi-devotedly adverb
- undevoted adjective
Etymology
Origin of devoted
Explanation
Being devoted to something means being focused on that particular thing almost exclusively. When you are devoted to a cause, you work to achieve its goals. When you are devoted to a person, you place their needs above your own. Being devoted doesn't have to refer only to personal relationships. It can focus on any area, activity, or passion. Cookbooks are devoted to presenting recipes, dog breeders are usually devoted to one specific type of dog, and tabloids are devoted to gossiping about celebrities. There's nothing wrong with being devoted to an activity or a person, as long as you don't lose track of everything else in your life. That’s when being devoted crosses over into being obsessed.
Vocabulary lists containing devoted
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Vocabulary from Beyoncé's "Lemonade"
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"The Hunger Games" Vocabulary from Chapter 1
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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.
McKechnie also worked with Bryant, supporting the late superstar's gruelling regime which devoted six hours each day to precise weightlifting, cardio and skills sessions.
From BBC • Apr. 14, 2026
They’re huge stars at home and have a devoted Filipino diaspora audience abroad— the band effortlessly snaps between Tagalog and English lyrics.
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 9, 2026
An American folk hero, Whittaker lived a life "devoted to adventure, stewardship, service, and family", his family said in an obituary.
From BBC • Apr. 8, 2026
A meetinghouse stood at the center of every village created by the Shakers, the separatist and celibate Christian religious sect founded in the 18th century that was devoted to communal living and simple, functional design.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 4, 2026
Allen, like Clive Cussler, has devoted much of his life to searching for and recovering shipwrecks.
From "Shipwrecked!" by Martin W. Sandler
Definitions 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.
