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pious
[ pahy-uhs ]
/ ĖpaÉŖ És /
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This shows grade level based on the word's complexity.
adjective
having or showing a dutiful spirit of reverence for God or an earnest wish to fulfill religious obligations.
characterized by a hypocritical concern with virtue or religious devotion; sanctimonious.
practiced or used in the name of real or pretended religious motives, or for some ostensibly good object; falsely earnest or sincere: a pious deception.
of or relating to religious devotion; sacred rather than secular: pious literature.
having or showing appropriate respect or regard for parents or others.
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Origin of pious
First recorded in 1595ā1605; from Latin pius, akin to piÄre āto propitiateā
synonym study for pious
1. See religious.
OTHER WORDS FROM pious
Words nearby pious
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, Ā© Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use pious in a sentence
British Dictionary definitions for pious
pious
/ (ĖpaÉŖÉs) /
adjective
having or expressing reverence for a god or gods; religious; devout
marked by reverence
marked by false reverence; sanctimonious
sacred; not secular
archaic having or expressing devotion for one's parents or others
Derived forms of pious
piously, adverbpiousness, nounWord Origin for pious
C17: from Latin pius, related to piÄre to expiate
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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