pious
[pahy-uhs]
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.
Origin of pious
1595–1605; < Latin pius, akin to piāre to propitiate
Synonyms for pious
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019
Related Words for piously
equally, honorably, rightly, rightfully, reasonably, accurately, duly, properly, honestly, correctly, legally, equitably, legitimately, lawfully, decently, impartially, religiously, candidly, frankly, helpfullyExamples from the Web for piously
Contemporary Examples of piously
In a typical sally, Nixon piously intoned, “I know what it means to be poor.”
Historical Examples of piously
The first room, Madame Goujet's, was piously preserved in the state she had left it.
L'AssommoirEmile Zola
They were not "English to the back-bone," as their aunt had piously asserted.
Howards EndE. M. Forster
His anger fell from him, and with bent head he piously crossed himself.
Love-at-ArmsRaphael Sabatini
"Well, she seems to feel what she says," Mrs. Rooth piously risked.
The Tragic MuseHenry James
Meekly craving their blessing, for so had they been piously taught.
Man of Uz, and Other PoemsLydia Howard Sigourney
pious
adjective
Word Origin for pious
C17: from Latin pius, related to piāre to expiate
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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pious
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper