devout

adjective

de·​vout di-ˈvau̇t 

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

• constant
• dedicated
• devoted
• down-the-line
• faithful
• fast
• good
• loyal
• pious
• staunch
• stanch
• steadfast
• steady
• true
• true-blue

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

Her father, a devout Catholic, later took the throne as James II. —Sarah Holzmann, Smithsonian Magazine, 13 Feb. 2025

Friends and mentors remember Dobson as a devout Christian from a young age, known for his kindness, humor, and dedication to his faith. —James Powel, USA TODAY, 4 Feb. 2025

Benson, a devout Catholic and close friend of local Archbishop Gregory Aymond, shared Bensel’s offer to help Aymond prepare for the fallout, according to the reports. —Mark Puleo, The Athletic, 4 Feb. 2025

In 2024, more than six out of 10 devout white Catholics — 64% — preferred Trump over Kamala Harris. —Celia Viggo Wexler, New York Daily News, 25 Jan. 2025

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

Kids Definition

devout

adjective

de·​vout di-ˈvau̇t 

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