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:
Like those pulled by devout religion or extreme acts of faith, Morrison and Nelson are powerless before their distinct higher calling — especially with the literal highest calling of all, Everest, in their sights.
From Salon ● Nov. 1, 2026
A devout Baptist, Evans, who lived and worked in Wilmington, N.C., began making art in the 1930s, after her grandmother’s death.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 30, 2026
Known as the "Plain People" for the simple clothes they wear, the Amish are a devout Christian community that does not use many forms of technology, relying on horse and buggies instead of cars.
From BBC ● Sep. 24, 2026
Even when the devout Christian decided to retire, he found a way to be of public service.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 18, 2026
We know she was a devout Catholic who grew up in the Philippines, was confined in leprosariums for much of her life, and died in the United States.
From "At Last She Stood" by Erin Entrada Kelly
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
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
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
But I have no devouter superstition than that the souls of women who die in childbed and men who fall in battle go straight to Paradise!!!
From Juliana Horatia Ewing And Her Books by Horatia K. F. Eden
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
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
Philo does not feel his daringly allegorical sublimations as any departures from the devoutest Biblical faith.
From Progress and History by Francis Sydney Marvin
In 1615 was born Richard Baxter, one of the purest and wisest and devoutest of men—and no mean poet either.
From England's Antiphon by George MacDonald
But Christ has our devoutest love and gratitude, and our profoundest reverence.
From Modern Skepticism: A Journey Through the Land of Doubt and Back Again A Life Story by Joseph Barker
Everywhere the devoutest Jews were conscious of wants which the national faith did not meet.
From The World's Great Sermons, Volume 10 Drummond to Jowett, and General Index by Grenville Kleiser
Random Word
Spin the wheel and learn a new word!
Get a wordDefinitions 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.
