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devout Definition

de·vout (di vo̵ut′)

adjective

  1. very religious; pious
  2. showing reverence
  3. earnest; sincere; heartfelt

Etymology: ME < OFr devot < L devotus, devoted (in LL(Ec), devout): see devote

devout Related Forms

de·vout′ly adverb de·vout′·ness noun

devout Synonyms

devout

modif.

religious, devoted, pious, reverent; see faithful, holy 2, religious 2. See syn. study at religious.

devout Usage Examples

Modifies a noun

  • worshipper: Sooner or later, even the devout worshipper of Cthulhu will be bent under the knife.
  • follower: Temples & Wildlife The gentle south is home to devout followers of Hinduism whose faith is embodied in their lavish temples.
  • Hindu: Instead of describing the river as a potential killer, he explains to devout Hindus that Mother Ganges is not feeling well.
  • atheist: Devout atheists hold the creed " There is no God " .

Modifying Another Word

  • deeply: The 17th century Dutch Master, Rembrandt, was deeply devout.
  • very: I was, until three years ago, a Roman Catholic, from a very devout family.
  • so: And what made them so devout and so anxious to please and follow him?
  • truly: Like religion, the truly devout regard sport as a way of life rather than just a weekly ritual.

Used with adjective complement

  • become: His Buddhist mother became even more devout to encourage Buddha to protect him.
  • remain: The Wrights were to remain devout Roman Catholics for their remaining time in Kelvedon Hall.
  • look: She looks so devout, so still, as if she did not belong to this world " .