duteous

American  

[doo-tee-uhs, dyoo-] / ˈdu ti əs, ˈdju- /

adjective

1. dutiful; obedient.

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duteous British  

/ ˈdjuːtɪəs /

adjective

1. formal dutiful; obedient

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Other Word Forms

• duteousness
  noun
• unduteousness
  noun
• unduteous
  adjective
• duteously
  adverb
• unduteously
  adverb

Etymology

Origin of duteous

First recorded in 1585–95; duty + -ous

Explanation

To be duteous is to be conscious of your duties and diligent in performing them. A duteous employee gets to work on time, meets every deadline, and never gossips about the boss. A duty is a responsibility or obligation, so to be duteous is to be mindful of one’s duties. A doctor who makes a home visit is duteous. A waiter who is quick and accurate is duteous. Being duteous suggests diligence and respect for the task at hand. In some professions — like being a butler — the whole job is based on being duteous, but you can be duteous in any task you take seriously.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

duteous

Exception 3.—Final y is sometimes changed into e: as, duty + ous = duteous; beauty + ous = beauteous.

From New Word-Analysis by William Swinton

Whose hearts no greater pleasure seek Than see thee smile, and hear thee speak, And feel all natural griefs beguiled By thee, their fond, their duteous child.

From The Isle of Palms and Other Poems by Wilson, John Lyde

Mild, passive, duteous, and innocent: I may lead my life just as I please; and she, dear creature! will have no idea but that I am a very good husband!

From The Sylph, Volume I and II by Cavendish, Georgiana

And Psyche, since had come no priestess there To trim the temple, in her pious care Forgat herself, and lent her duteous aid.

From The Poetical Works of Robert Bridges by Bridges, Robert

But the tale may not be vain, If haply it awake one duteous thought Of filial tenderness.

From The Poetical Works of William Lisle Bowles Vol. 2 by Gilfillan, George