dutiful

American  

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

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.

---

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

---

Other Word Forms

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

Etymology

Origin of dutiful

First recorded in 1545–55; duty + -ful

Example Sentences

Your dutiful correspondent’s first impression of his favorite place on earth upon returning here for his 37th home opener wasn’t about the deep green or brilliant blue or enduring mountainscape.

From Los Angeles Times

As a dutiful aunt I tried to love all my nieces and nephews equally.

From Literature

For the past two weeks I had kept quiet and played the dutiful daughter.

From Literature

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

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

Related Words

• conscientious