devout

adjective

de·​vout di-ˈvau̇t How to pronounce devout (audio)
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 cowardG. B. Shaw
b
: warmly sincere
a devout wish for peace
devoutly adverb
devoutness noun

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 His friends describe him as a devout Christian devoted to his biracial family. Joe Davidson, Washington Post, 7 Mar. 2024 At a religious seminary, similarly devout students gathered to hear an officer talk about his military duties. Natan Odenheimer, New York Times, 4 Mar. 2024 His family wrote that Teran was a devout Christian who loved theology and participating in Bible studies. James Hartley, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 3 Mar. 2024 In addition to playing in high school, he's known in Hollywood circles as a devout Texas Longhorns fan. Maureen Lee Lenker, EW.com, 22 Feb. 2024 The devout fans then found out that the thief sold it to the owner of the Admiral Blake pub in London and went from there. Sadie Bell, Peoplemag, 16 Feb. 2024 Logan Farrington and Union Grove High School soccer grew together Farrington, 22, grew up the son of a devout West Ham fan who maintained his allegiance well after moving to the U.S. in his mid-20s. Dave Kallmann, Journal Sentinel, 17 Jan. 2024 Through a community of devout regulars and an owner that embraces them, it’s quietly become a drama-free, all-are-welcome place to dance from 9 p.m. until last call just before 2 a.m. Lina Abascal, Los Angeles Times, 27 Feb. 2024 During that initial chat, the sibling duo of Elizabeth and Hugo Valdivieso expressed a growing fascination with jazzy prog ensembles, dating back to their devout Christian upbringing in the mountainous state of Oaxaca. Richard Villegas, Rolling Stone, 21 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'devout.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

Dictionary Entries Near devout

Cite this Entry

“Devout.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/devout. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

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

More from Merriam-Webster on devout

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