devote

[dih-voht]

verb (used with object)

devoted, devoting 

1. to give up or appropriate to or concentrate on a particular pursuit, occupation, purpose, cause, etc..

   to devote one's time to reading.

   Synonyms: consign, apply, assign

2. to appropriate by or as if by a vow; set apart or dedicate by a solemn or formal act; consecrate.

   She devoted her life to God.

3. to commit to evil or destruction; doom.

devote

/ dɪˈvəʊt /

verb

1. to apply or dedicate (oneself, time, money, etc) to some pursuit, cause, etc

2. obsolete,  to curse or doom

Other Word Forms

• devotement noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of devote¹

First recorded in 1580–90; from Latin dēvōtus “vowed,” past participle of dēvovēre “to vow,” from dē- de- + vovēre “to vow” ( vow )

Word History and Origins

Origin of devote¹

C16: from Latin dēvōtus devoted, solemnly promised, from dēvovēre to vow; see _de- , _vow

Synonym Study

Devote, dedicate, consecrate share the sense of assigning or applying someone or something to an activity, function, or end. Devote, though it has some overtones of religious dedication, is the most general of the three terms: He devoted his free time to mastering the computer. Dedicate is more solemn and carries an ethical or moral tone: We are dedicated to the achievement of equality for all. Consecrate, even in nonreligious contexts, clearly implies a powerful and sacred dedication: consecrated to the service of humanity.

Example Sentences

While Pasadena will be the center of the rock and roll universe this weekend, Oasis posted a live map of pre-parties and band-historic sites in Los Angeles where the devoted can take a pilgrimage.

From Los Angeles Times

In 2018, you told me you’d love to have a family one day but only if you could be as devoted as your dad was to you.

From Los Angeles Times

Their devoted fans wondered whether this year would be kinder to the couple.

From Los Angeles Times

The service heard Mr David worked "tirelessly to speak up and make a difference", and was devoted to his family.

From BBC

“Forrest Gump,” meanwhile, is entirely devoted to making white Americans feel comfortable — about themselves, and about what they represent to the world.

From Salon

Related Words

• allot 
• apply 
• assign 
• dedicate 
• donate 
• give 
• give away 
• present