dutiful

American  

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

adjective

1. 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

2. required by duty; proceeding from or expressive of a sense of duty.

   dutiful attention.

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dutiful British  

/ ˈdjuːtɪfʊl /

adjective

1. exhibiting or having a sense of duty

2. characterized by or resulting from a sense of duty

   a dutiful answer

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Other Word Forms

• dutifulness
  noun
• quasi-dutiful
  adjective
• undutiful
  adjective
• dutifully
  adverb

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Etymology

Origin of dutiful

First recorded in 1545–55; duty + -ful

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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.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

dutiful

"In the 1840 narrative, Byfield sought to impress wealthy patrons by presenting himself as a dutiful soldier and deserving veteran," O'Keeffe says.

From Science Daily ● Sep. 7, 2026

Dwayne Johnson and Catherine Laga’aia star in a dull and dutiful retread of Disney’s 2016 animated film.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 9, 2026

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

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

The Beauty Minister tells royal listeners what criteria the ministers and the queen used to choose the favorite this season: disciplined, dutiful, responsible.

From "The Belles" by Dhonielle Clayton

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