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

plural

religious

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

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

Justice Department officials have defended the arrests as necessary to uphold federal protections for religious freedom.

From Salon

Opponents of capital punishment have rejected it on religious, ethical and legal grounds arguing it goes against Jewish law, violates the right to life and brings a risk of executing innocent people.

From BBC

According to Mr. Mansfield, this process culminates in the blend of limited government, economic commerce and religious toleration typically described as liberal.

From The Wall Street Journal

A Shiite cleric, he lives frugally and was brought up in a religious tradition that reveres martyrdom.

From Barron's

Pratt, a religious man, was in touch with the gravity of this work.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• doctrinal
• holy
• sacred
• sectarian
• theological