dutiful
Americanadjective
-
performing the duties expected or required of one; characterized by doing one's duty: a dutiful child.
a dutiful citizen;
a dutiful child.
- Synonyms:
- duteous, submissive, obedient, deferential, respectful
-
required by duty; proceeding from or expressive of a sense of duty.
dutiful attention.
adjective
-
exhibiting or having a sense of duty
-
characterized by or resulting from a sense of duty
a dutiful answer
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of dutiful
Explanation
Are you a dutiful person? If you are, then you do as you're told, out of a feeling of duty and obligation. Dutiful children know this means cleaning one's room, taking out the trash, and not talking back! The adjective dutiful is often used to describe obedient children, servants, and soldiers, as well as anyone else who willingly obeys orders. Not surprisingly, dutiful can also have a somewhat negative meaning. For example, if your graduation speaker gives a painfully boring address, you may respond with "dutiful applause" when it's over. That means you are clapping out of a sense of duty and respect, not because you thought the speech was any good.
Vocabulary lists containing dutiful
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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.
Because, all those impersonations of chilly indifference aside, he will be known by what he got on the air: a legacy of generation-defining comedy that’s more impressive than any dutiful biodoc could ever be.
From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 17, 2026
Stick with broad, cheap exposure to the U.S. stock market, and a dutiful allocation overseas, where valuations are at least lower.
From Barron's ● Mar. 6, 2026
Variety described it as "dutiful fan service, sure to satisfy legions of cultists cosplaying in tweed, but not unapproachable to viewers who aren't entirely au fait with the show".
From BBC ● Mar. 5, 2026
Nicholson leading his fellow prisoners of war in dutiful observance of a wartime code of honor.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Dec. 8, 2025
“I cannot be such a dutiful wife as you are a friend. I will not go to Hamlet.”
From "Ophelia" by Lisa Klein
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.
