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. Often devotions. Ecclesiastical. 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 Words From

• prede·votion noun
• super·de·votion 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

No wonder many in the US and Europe have begun questioning the underpinnings of capitalism—particularly its devotion to free markets and its faith in the power of economic growth to create prosperity and solve our problems.

From MIT Technology Review

Members of the ARMY, the self-ascribed title for BTS fans, told Reuters last week that buying stock in Big Hit Entertainment was a sign of their devotion to the group.

From Fortune

When she asks the emperor whom she just saved to send her home and the court gasps in shock, the emperor informs the watching crowd that “devotion to family is an essential virtue.”

From Vox

Their devotion to Holy Scripture, however, is highly selective.

From Washington Blade

Unfortunately, my overall lifestyle serves as a poor alibi for this level of athletic devotion.

From Outside Online

Certainly, she seems to command near-total devotion among her clients.

From The Daily Beast

Such warm expressions of devotion would come as news to Foer and Wieseltier.

From The Daily Beast

The level of devotion is more intense than one might find in Lake Forest, California.

From The Daily Beast

In fact, our devotion to those ideals has only been strengthened by the selfless heroism we have seen.

From The Daily Beast

Indeed, he is respectfully mystified by the almost religious devotion Morrissey inspires.

From The Daily Beast

Bessires was included because he would never win it at any later date, but his doglike devotion made him a priceless subordinate.

From Project Gutenberg

This has a warm though a thin soil, which must be highly favorable to the Vine to induce so exclusive a devotion to it.

From Project Gutenberg

I must aspire to the agitating transports of self-devotion, in scenes of sacrifice and peril!

From Project Gutenberg

And now there was added to this devotion an element of indefinable anxiety which made its vigilance unceasing.

From Project Gutenberg

No man was likely to see Ramona with Alessandro without perceiving the rare quality of her devotion to him.

From Project Gutenberg

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.