devout
Americanadjective
-
devoted to divine worship or service; pious; religious.
a devout Catholic.
- Antonyms:
- irreverent
-
expressing devotion or piety.
devout prayer.
-
earnest or sincere; hearty.
He had a devout allegiance to the political regime.
adjective
-
deeply religious; reverent
-
sincere; earnest; heartfelt
a devout confession
Synonym Usage
See religious.
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of devout
First recorded in 1175–1225; Middle English, from Anglo-French, Old French devo(u)t, from Late Latin dēvotus, Latin: “devoted”; see devote
Explanation
To be devout is to be deeply devoted to one's religion or to another belief, cause, or way of life. If you're reading this, you're probably a devout believer in improving your vocabulary. Devout is often used to describe religious individuals, but this word also pops up in the context of sports fans — a fact that may shed some light on the role of sports in today's society. However, while it's usually acceptable for a devout individual to miss work for religious holidays, devout sports fans have a tougher time convincing their boss to let them off for the big game.
Vocabulary lists containing devout
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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.
See Examples For:
Like those pulled by devout religion or extreme acts of faith, Morrison and Nelson are powerless before their distinct higher calling — especially with the literal highest calling of all, Everest, in their sights.
From Salon ● Nov. 1, 2026
According to an interview her sister gave to the New Zealand Women's Weekly, Nathan was a devout Catholic who led a reclusive life.
From BBC ● Oct. 26, 2026
But despite what he has been through, the devout Jew said he refuses to feel sorry for himself.
From Barron's ● Oct. 5, 2026
Even when the devout Christian decided to retire, he found a way to be of public service.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 18, 2026
But at this point in his life, communism held no appeal for George, who considered himself a devout Christian.
From "Spies: The Secret Showdown Between America and Russia" by Marc Favreau
They are nests built with faithfulness and affection, and through them one seems to get a glimpse of devouter, sturdier times.
From Winter Sunshine by John Burroughs
Mrs. Orr, devouter votary than I, explains that Browning meant "that everything which disturbs the equal balance of human life gives a vital impulse to the soul."
From Browning's Heroines by Maxwell Armfield
Instead of contemning the idea of a heavenly futurity as an idle dream image of human longing, it were both devouter and more reasonable, from 22 Charakteristiken und Kritiken, s.
From The Destiny of the Soul A Critical History of the Doctrine of a Future Life by William Rounseville Alger
The stronger and devouter soul cannot conceive how the weaker had yielded.
From Expositions of Holy Scripture by Alexander Maclaren
Robinson Crusoe on his island could not have had a devouter thankfulness when he recovered the articles from the wreck than we had in the contemplation of our treasure.
From The Wayfarers by J. C. Snaith
The devoutest love, the liveliest gratitude, the richest honors, the costliest offerings are his,—He deserves them all.
From Modern Skepticism: A Journey Through the Land of Doubt and Back Again A Life Story by Joseph Barker
It would be still possible even for the devoutest Wagnerian disciple to hear such a concert, perhaps, without leaving the hall in indignation, perhaps even without a protest.
From From the Easy Chair — Volume 01 by George William Curtis
It was at the house of one of his devoutest disciples, who has arranged everything in the rooms to harmonize with them.
From At Home And Abroad Or, Things And Thoughts In America and Europe by Arthur B. Fuller
The devoutest heart is conscious of shrinking dread when brought face to face with celestial brightness that has overflowed into our darkness.
From Expositions of Holy Scripture St. Luke by Alexander Maclaren
To him it suggested an attitude of the devoutest worship.
From The Heart of Unaga by Ridgwell Cullum
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Get a wordDefinitions 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.
