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definitions

dutiful

[ doo-tuh-fuhl, dyoo- ]
/ ˈdu tə fəl, ˈdyu- /
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adjective

performing the duties expected or required of one; characterized by doing one's duty: a dutiful citizen; a dutiful child.
required by duty; proceeding from or expressive of a sense of duty: dutiful attention.

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RELATED WORDS

conscientious, binding, compliant, deferential, devoted, docile, faithful, obligatory, punctilious, regardful, respectful, submissive, duteous, reverential

Nearby words

  1. dutchman's-pipe,
  2. dutchwoman,
  3. duteous,
  4. duteously,
  5. dutiable,
  6. dutifully,
  7. dutton,
  8. duty,
  9. duty bound,
  10. duty officer

Origin of dutiful

First recorded in 1545–55; duty + -ful
Related forms
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for dutiful

British Dictionary definitions for dutiful

dutiful

/ (ˈdjuːtɪfʊl) /

adjective

exhibiting or having a sense of duty
characterized by or resulting from a sense of dutya dutiful answer
Derived Formsdutifully, adverbdutifulness, noun
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Word Origin and History for dutiful

dutiful

adj.

1550s, from duty + -ful. Related: Dutifully.

Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper