devotional

1 of 2

adjective

de·​vo·​tion·​al di-ˈvō-sh(ə-)nəl How to pronounce devotional (audio)
dē-
: of, relating to, or characterized by devotion
devotional literature
devotionally adverb

devotional

2 of 2

noun

: a short worship service

Examples of devotional in a Sentence

Adjective a religious bookstore with an extensive stock of devotional literature
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.
Adjective
More psychological study than devotional image, this work does not invite veneration so much as reflection on the actors’ motivations, anticipating later definitions of painting as a medium for pleasurable (rather than purposeful) contemplation. Christian K. Kleinbub, ARTnews.com, 29 Oct. 2024 His other works further reclaim history through white-washed portraits of Black Civil War soldiers, collages that place Black people’s faces in confrontation with slave-holding white figures, and devotional scenes that refigure Black people into Biblical text. Robert Daniels, TIME, 18 Oct. 2024
Noun
Tony Bennett recorded this song as a solo devotional in 1993, but on his final album, Gaga’s presence completes the pairing. Kristen S. Hé, Vulture, 25 Oct. 2024 Reads devotionals, news clips or emails to wake her brain up. Katie Toussaint, Charlotte Observer, 31 Jan. 2024 See all Example Sentences for devotional 

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1648, in the meaning defined above

Noun

1659, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of devotional was in 1648

Dictionary Entries Near devotional

Cite this Entry

“Devotional.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/devotional. Accessed 24 Nov. 2024.

More from Merriam-Webster on devotional

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!