devotion

[dih-voh-shuhn]

noun

1. profound dedication, especially to religion.

2. earnest attachment to a cause, person, etc.

   Synonyms: ardor, zeal

3. an assignment or appropriation to any purpose, cause, etc..

   the devotion of one's wealth and time to scientific advancement.

4. Ecclesiastical.,  Often devotions religious observance or worship; a form of prayer or worship for special use.

devotion

/ dɪˈvəʊʃən /

noun

1. (often foll by to) strong attachment (to) or affection (for a cause, person, etc) marked by dedicated loyalty

2. religious zeal; piety

3. (often plural) religious observance or prayers

Other Word Forms

• predevotion noun
• superdevotion noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of devotion¹

First recorded in 1150–1200; Middle English devocioun, from Anglo-French, from Late Latin dēvōtiōn-, stem of dēvōtiō “consecration, enchantment, vow”; equivalent to devote + -ion

Example Sentences

Kay wants to punish Michael for his treatment of her, for his casual cruelty, for his slavish devotion to a monstrous profession.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

What sprouts up is a portrait of devotion, love and respect, of time passing and roles reversing.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

“The Fate of Ophelia” describes a lover whose devotion saved Swift from meeting the same bleak end as Shakespeare’s doomed character in “Hamlet.”

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

But that devotion to exposing corruption comes at a price frequently paid by the communities least deserving of the blowback.

Read more on Salon

It’s terrifying to love someone this much, to give them the full force of your devotion only to get locked outside.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• adherence 
• adoration 
• affection 
• allegiance 
• attachment 
• dedication 
• deference 
• enthusiasm 
• faithfulness 
• fealty 
• fervor 
• fidelity 
• intensity 
• love 
• passion 
• piety 
• reverence 
• sincerity 
• worship 
• zeal 

When To Use

What are other ways to say devotion?

The noun devotion refers to profound dedication or earnest attachment to a cause, person, or deity. How does devotion compare to love and affection? Learn more on Thesaurus.com.