devout

[ dih-vout ]

adjective

, de·vout·er, de·vout·est.

1. devoted to divine worship or service; pious; religious:

   a devout Catholic.

   Antonyms: irreverent

2. expressing devotion or piety:

   devout prayer.

3. earnest or sincere; hearty:

   He had a devout allegiance to the political regime.

   Synonyms: ardent, fervent, serious, intense

devout

/ dɪˈvaʊt /

adjective

1. deeply religious; reverent
2. sincere; earnest; heartfelt

   a devout confession

Derived Forms

• deˈvoutness, noun
• deˈvoutly, adverb

Other Words From

• de·voutly adverb
• de·voutness noun
• nonde·vout adjective
• nonde·voutly adverb
• nonde·voutness noun
• unde·vout adjective
• unde·voutly adverb
• unde·voutness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of devout¹

First recorded in 1175–1225; Middle English, from Anglo-French, Old French devo(u)t, from Late Latin dēvotus, Latin: “devoted”; devote

Word History and Origins

Origin of devout¹

C13: from Old French devot, from Late Latin dēvōtus, from Latin: faithful; see devote

Synonym Study

See religious.

Example Sentences

Mary, as a devout Catholic queen, maintained close control over a country in the throes of burgeoning Protestant fervor.

From Ozy

He was found to be in violation of his parole for performing spoken word at a restaurant where alcohol was served, even though he was a devout Muslim and did not drink.

From Washington Post

If neither of these names are familiar to you, know that they are celebrities to tens of millions of devout gamer fans.

From Digiday

Friedrich Hayek and Ludwig von Mises were known for their devout advocacy of maximally free markets and minimal government assistance.

From Quartz

Instead, as with Brennan and Kennedy, devout faith can lead public officials in a very different direction.

From Washington Post

It was a mystery to devout Christians in the early Church, too.

From The Daily Beast

The Austria-based restaurant was first noted by the scholar and monk Albuin, who was a devout follower of Charlemagne.

From The Daily Beast

Alicia is a devout atheist, if devout can be used to describe someone who does not believe in a God.

From The Daily Beast

But the other couples are mainly devout Catholics who toe the party line when it comes to birth control and divorce.

From The Daily Beast

“Remain devout, patient and persistent in upholding high moral values,” bin Laden counseled.

From The Daily Beast

I was thinking of any thing but the Virgin, or the window, or the light; I was thinking of my companion—so fair, and so devout.

From Project Gutenberg

She dressed always in black, was very devout and rich and narrow and iron-willed.

From Project Gutenberg

All things that could give solemnity to an observance unite to invest this with a devout character.

From Project Gutenberg

Strictly reared by a mother gentle and devout, and by a father hard and avaricious.

From Project Gutenberg

The innocent may be innocent, nay, the pious may feel devout, even in a ball room.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• adoring
• ardent
• faithful
• fervent
• passionate
• pious
• religious
• sincere
• zealous