devout
Americanadjective
-
devoted to divine worship or service; pious; religious.
a devout Catholic.
- Antonyms:
- irreverent
-
expressing devotion or piety.
devout prayer.
-
earnest or sincere; hearty.
He had a devout allegiance to the political regime.
adjective
-
deeply religious; reverent
-
sincere; earnest; heartfelt
a devout confession
Synonym Usage
See religious.
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of devout
First recorded in 1175–1225; Middle English, from Anglo-French, Old French devo(u)t, from Late Latin dēvotus, Latin: “devoted”; see devote
Explanation
To be devout is to be deeply devoted to one's religion or to another belief, cause, or way of life. If you're reading this, you're probably a devout believer in improving your vocabulary. Devout is often used to describe religious individuals, but this word also pops up in the context of sports fans — a fact that may shed some light on the role of sports in today's society. However, while it's usually acceptable for a devout individual to miss work for religious holidays, devout sports fans have a tougher time convincing their boss to let them off for the big game.
Vocabulary lists containing devout
I Am Malala
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
The Things They Carried
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
The Alchemist
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
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.
See Examples For:
As a devout Catholic, he has nine children, each of whom recently appeared in a YouTube series following his family’s road trip across America to celebrate the nation’s 250th anniversary.
From Salon ● Aug. 27, 2026
"My wife and I believe in treating others the way that we'd like to be treated, with decency and respect," Pence, a devout Christian, told CNN.
From Barron's ● Aug. 26, 2026
He counsels letter writers on how to handle a cheating brother, discuss religion with a devout friend, and avoid spiraling over the fear of being single forever.
From Slate ● Aug. 5, 2026
A devout Christian and now with two young children, Scheffler has made it clear he would happily walk away from the game if it harmed his family life.
From BBC ● Jul. 27, 2026
His background of poverty and petty crime gave him insight into the demons that haunted other poor blacks, and left him with some habits that were out of character for a devout Black Muslim.
From "The Best of Enemies" by Osha Gray Davidson
He finds them the same men, although with better and devouter hearts, as we are at this day.
From The Atlantic Monthly, Volume 01, No. 02, December, 1857 by Various
The stronger and devouter soul cannot conceive how the weaker had yielded.
From Expositions of Holy Scripture by Alexander Maclaren
Robinson Crusoe on his island could not have had a devouter thankfulness when he recovered the articles from the wreck than we had in the contemplation of our treasure.
From The Wayfarers by J. C. Snaith
They are nests built with faithfulness and affection, and through them one seems to get a glimpse of devouter, sturdier times.
From Winter Sunshine by John Burroughs
After which he procured them food and medicines, which he begged from the devouter sort, and himself attended them both day and night.
From The works of John Dryden, now first collected in eighteen volumes. Volume 16 by Sir Walter Scott
Even in the most stedfast and unwavering this intercourse is characterized by tidal movements of devoutest awe Sinking anon to farthest ebb of doubt.
From Some Christian Convictions A Practical Restatement in Terms of Present-Day Thinking by Henry Sloane Coffin
Here the distracting whirl of earthly things obscures Him from even the devoutest souls, and His own mighty works which reveal do also conceal.
From Expositions of Holy Scripture Psalms by Alexander Maclaren
It is richer in its contents, it is better and mightier in its influences, than its devoutest friends are aware.
From Modern Skepticism: A Journey Through the Land of Doubt and Back Again A Life Story by Joseph Barker
Ginger looked as horrified as the devoutest of the congregation of which Sally had just ceased to be a member.
From The Adventures of Sally by P. G. (Pelham Grenville) Wodehouse
The devoutest love, the liveliest gratitude, the richest honors, the costliest offerings are his,—He deserves them all.
From Modern Skepticism: A Journey Through the Land of Doubt and Back Again A Life Story by Joseph Barker
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.
