devout

1 of 2

adjective

de·​vout di-ˈvau̇t How to pronounce devout (audio)
Synonyms of devout
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

devoutness

2 of 2

noun

de·​vout·​ness
plural -es
: a devout quality or state
especially : religious devotion

Synonyms of devout

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Adjective

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Examples of devout in a Sentence

Adjective 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
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Adjective
But after more than eight years of devout civil service, Jonas lost that fulfilling federal job. — Danya Gainor, CNN Money, 3 July 2026 His parents, Blase and Mary (née Mayhan) Cupich, were devout Catholics. — René Ostberg, Encyclopedia Britannica, 2 July 2026 For a devout convert to Catholicism, Vance has a bumpy history with the Vatican. — Paul Elie, New Yorker, 27 June 2026 The decision came in the case of a devout Rastafarian in Louisiana. — Los Angeles Times, 23 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for devout

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

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

Noun

Middle English devoutnes, from devout + -nes -ness

First Known Use

Adjective

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

See All Rhymes for devout

Browse Nearby Words

devourment
devout
devoutly
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Devout.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/devout. Accessed 8 Jul. 2026.

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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

More from Merriam-Webster on devout

Nglish: Translation of devout for Spanish Speakers

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