religious

American  

[ri-lij-uhs] / rɪˈlɪdʒ əs /

adjective

1. of, relating to, or concerned with religion.

   a religious holiday.

2. imbued with or exhibiting religion; pious; devout; godly.

   a religious man.

   Synonyms:

   reverent

   Antonyms:

   impious

3. scrupulously faithful; conscientious.

   religious care.

   Synonyms:

   rigorous, meticulous, strict, scrupulous

4. pertaining to or connected with a monastic or religious order.

5. appropriate to religion or to sacred rites or observances.

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noun

religious plural

1. a member of a religious order, congregation, etc.; a monk, friar, or nun.

2. the religious, devout or religious persons.

   Each year, thousands of the religious make pilgrimages to the shrine.

religious British  

/ rɪˈlɪdʒəs /

adjective

1. of, relating to, or concerned with religion

2. 1. pious; devout; godly

   2. ( as collective noun ; preceded by the )

      the religious

3. appropriate to or in accordance with the principles of a religion

4. scrupulous, exact, or conscientious

5. Christianity of or relating to a way of life dedicated to religion by the vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience, and defined by a monastic rule

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noun

1. Christianity a member of an order or congregation living by such a rule; a monk, friar, or nun

Synonym Usage

Religious, devout, pious indicate a spirit of reverence toward God. Religious is a general word, applying to whatever pertains to faith or worship: a religious ceremony. Devout indicates a fervent spirit, usually genuine and often independent of outward observances: a deeply devout though unorthodox church member. Pious implies constant attention to, and extreme conformity with, outward observances. It can also suggest sham or hypocrisy: a pious hypocrite.

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• nonreligiousness
  noun
• religiousness
  noun
• ultrareligiousness
  noun
• antireligious
  adjective
• nonreligious
  adjective
• overreligious
  adjective
• prereligious
  adjective
• pseudoreligious
  adjective
• quasi-religious
  adjective
• ultrareligious
  adjective
• religiously
  adverb

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• religious
  plural

Etymology

Origin of religious

First recorded in 1175–1225; Middle English (from Old French ), from Latin religiōsus, equivalent to religi(ō) religion + -ōsus -ous

Explanation

Religious, besides meaning "having to do with religion," can also mean "acting as if something is a religion." If you have never missed a broadcast of your favorite TV show for the last five years, then you're religious about it. Just as religion is a broad concept with multiple manifestations, the word religious can be used in many contexts. You could literally be describing someone's particular religious duties as prescribed by his religion. If you have a religious temperament, you think about spiritual things a lot. If someone is a fanatic about football, you could describe him as a religious fan. That doesn't mean he thinks the football is God, just that he really, really cares.

Example Sentences

The Akal Takht summoned, external the Punjab Assembly speaker on 8 May to explain why Sikh religious institutions had not been consulted before the law was enacted.

From BBC • Jul. 6, 2026

One line I draw early with clients: This is about personal, religious and social values — not politics.

From MarketWatch • Jul. 6, 2026

Advocates for religious freedom celebrated the news of Jin’s release and called on the U.S. to continue putting China’s persecution of believers at the center of ties with Beijing.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jul. 5, 2026

If his beloved Inter Milan won the Italian championship and rival AC Milan failed to qualify for the European Champions League, he would go on a religious pilgrimage.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jul. 4, 2026

James’s religious beliefs were central to his life.

From "Ambushed!" by Gail Jarrow

Related Words

• doctrinal
• holy
• sacred
• sectarian
• theological