devout

[dih-vout]

adjective

devouter, devoutest 

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

Other Word Forms

• devoutness noun
• devoutly adverb
• nondevout adjective
• nondevoutly adverb
• nondevoutness noun
• undevout adjective
• undevoutly adverb
• undevoutness 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

After years of being a “devout public servant,” Harris said in the interview, set to air Thursday night, she just doesn’t want to be “in the system” right now.

From Los Angeles Times

She said she is a “devout public servant” who has long believed the best way to make a difference was to “improve the system from within.”

From Los Angeles Times

The newly graduated 26-year-old and devout Catholic was just three months into a job as a customs official - which he had taken on with his usual zeal, by refusing to be bribed.

From BBC

He explained that Ms Whyte's widowed mother Mary is a Eucharist minister in his parish and a "very devout woman" who visits Barefield's church almost every day.

From BBC

Isiah, a devout Catholic, was so frightened he stopped attending weekly Mass for fear that he could be swept up in the raids.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• adoring www.thesaurus.com
• ardent 
• faithful 
• fervent 
• passionate 
• pious 
• religious 
• sincere 
• zealous