devout

[dih-vout]

adjective

devouter, devoutest 

1. devoted to divine worship or service; pious; religious.

   a devout Catholic.

   Antonyms: irreverent

2. expressing devotion or piety.

   devout prayer.

3. earnest or sincere; hearty.

   He had a devout allegiance to the political regime.

   Synonyms: ardent, fervent, serious, intense

devout

/ dɪˈvaʊt /

adjective

1. deeply religious; reverent

2. sincere; earnest; heartfelt

   a devout confession

Other Word Forms

• devoutly adverb
• devoutness noun
• nondevout adjective
• nondevoutly adverb
• nondevoutness noun
• undevout adjective
• undevoutly adverb
• undevoutness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of devout¹

First recorded in 1175–1225; Middle English, from Anglo-French, Old French devo(u)t, from Late Latin dēvotus, Latin: “devoted”; devote

Word History and Origins

Origin of devout¹

C13: from Old French devot, from Late Latin dēvōtus, from Latin: faithful; see _devote

Synonym Study

See religious.

Example Sentences

But Close is fantastic as a deeply devout woman who has a habit of popping up when you least expect her, like a mouse from a hole.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

The US Supreme Court on Monday heard the case of a devout Rastafarian who is seeking damages after his knee-length dreadlocks were forcibly shorn while he was in prison in Louisiana.

Read more on Barron's

Fimbres taught him how to pray the rosary and Sánchez remains a devout Catholic.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

So, the theft at Sabarimala shrine, visited by millions of pilgrims every year, has stunned the devout and made headlines.

Read more on BBC

Harmeet Dhillon, born in India and a devout Sikh, is currently his U.S. assistant attorney general for the Civil Rights Division.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• adoring www.thesaurus.com
• ardent 
• faithful 
• fervent 
• passionate 
• pious 
• religious 
• sincere 
• zealous