religious
Americanadjective
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of, relating to, or concerned with religion.
a religious holiday.
-
imbued with or exhibiting religion; pious; devout; godly.
a religious man.
- Synonyms:
- reverent
- Antonyms:
- impious
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scrupulously faithful; conscientious.
religious care.
- Synonyms:
- rigorous, meticulous, strict, scrupulous
-
pertaining to or connected with a monastic or religious order.
-
appropriate to religion or to sacred rites or observances.
noun
plural
religious-
a member of a religious order, congregation, etc.; a monk, friar, or nun.
-
the religious, devout or religious persons.
Each year, thousands of the religious make pilgrimages to the shrine.
adjective
-
of, relating to, or concerned with religion
-
-
pious; devout; godly
-
( as collective noun ; preceded by the )
the religious
-
-
appropriate to or in accordance with the principles of a religion
-
scrupulous, exact, or conscientious
-
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
noun
Related Words
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
- antireligious adjective
- nonreligious adjective
- nonreligiousness noun
- overreligious adjective
- prereligious adjective
- pseudoreligious adjective
- quasi-religious adjective
- religiously adverb
- religiousness noun
- ultrareligious adjective
- ultrareligiousness noun
Etymology
Origin of religious
First recorded in 1175–1225; Middle English (from Old French ), from Latin religiōsus, equivalent to religi(ō) religion + -ōsus -ous
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.
They sang gospel, religious, and protest songs from the civil rights movement together, their voices carrying across the plaza.
From Salon • Apr. 6, 2026
"Even during our religious holidays, even on Good Friday, jets fly over us and break the sound barrier just to scare us," al-Jamal said.
From Barron's • Apr. 5, 2026
These objects are commonly associated with offerings in Roman religious sites.
From Science Daily • Apr. 5, 2026
He said he and others in his Social Circle church hoped to provide religious counseling to immigrants held in the facility.
From BBC • Apr. 4, 2026
And when the religious ceremonies had been completed, we left, my husband and I. How well I remember the day, and the sudden sickness that overcame me when the moment for departure came!
From "Nectar in a Sieve" by Kamala Markandaya
Definitions 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.
