devout

adjective

de·​vout di-ˈvau̇t How to pronounce devout (audio)
Synonyms of devoutnext
1
: committed or devoted to religion or to religious duties or exercises
a devout Catholic
2
: expressing piety or religious fervor : expressing devotion
a devout attitude
3
a
: devoted to a pursuit, belief, or mode of behavior : serious, earnest
a devout baseball fan
born a devout coward— G. B. Shaw
b
: warmly sincere
a devout wish for peace
devoutly adverb
devoutness noun

Synonyms

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Examples of devout in a Sentence

It is his devout wish to help people in need. devout Red Sox fans never lost faith during the long World Series drought
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Many devout Muslim women cover their faces with a niqab or burqa. — New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 21 Mar. 2025 The followers of the Olsens are some of the most devout people in the world. — Aamina Inayat Khan, StyleCaster, 20 Mar. 2025 The 22-year-old musician was raised by a devout family in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, whose members are taught to refrain from indulging in harmful substances. — Ashley Hume, Fox News, 18 Mar. 2025 Born less than three months apart to devout religious families in the industrial Midwest, Prince and Jackson probably had a lot to talk about when they weren’t holed up in their Xanadu-like mansions concocting their unique blends of soul-funk-disco alchemy. — Jordan Runtagh, People.com, 15 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for devout

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Late Latin devotus, from Latin, past participle of devovēre — see devote

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of devout was in the 13th century

Rhymes for devout

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Browse Nearby Words

devout
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Cite this Entry

“Devout.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/devout. Accessed 25 Mar. 2025.

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Kids Definition

devout

adjective
de·​vout di-ˈvau̇t How to pronounce devout (audio)
1
: devoted to religion or to religious duties or exercises
2
: expressing devotion
a devout attitude
3
a
: devoted to an activity, belief, or type of behavior
a devout baseball fan
b
: earnest entry 2 sense 1, sincere
gave them devout thanks
devoutly adverb
devoutness noun

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