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Meaning & use

devoted

adjective·Everydayapproving

Last updated

UK/dɪˈvəʊtɪd/
US/dɪˈvoʊtɪd/

Meanings

  1. adjectivecomparableapproving

    Showing strong love, loyalty or care toward a person, usually shown through steady actions.

    Grammar: Often before a noun or after is: a devoted friend; she is devoted to him.

    Patterns

    • devoted to someone
    • a devoted fan

    He was a devoted father who never missed a school play.

    The singer has a devoted following all over the world.

    She stayed devoted to her sister throughout the illness.

  2. adjectiveafter a verb

    Giving a great amount of time, effort or space to one activity or cause.

    Grammar: Followed by to: devoted to research.

    Patterns

    • devoted to something
    • be devoted to doing something

    The museum has a whole wing devoted to ancient coins.

    He is devoted to training for the marathon.

    The magazine is devoted to gardening.

Word forms

comparativemore devoted
superlativemost devoted

Common combinations

devoted to
She is devoted to her grandchildren.
a devoted fan
A devoted fan waited outside the theatre all night.
a devoted husband
He was a devoted husband for fifty years.
utterly devoted
The dog is utterly devoted to its owner.
devoted followers
The band's devoted followers know every lyric.

Synonyms and how they differ

loyal
Loyal stresses faithfulness and not betraying someone, but devoted adds warmth and active care.
dedicated
Dedicated is more often about commitment to a task or cause, while devoted is more emotional.
fond
Fond describes a gentle liking and does not necessarily involve sacrifice, which devoted does.
committed
Committed is more formal and about obligation, whereas devoted suggests love.

Opposites

indifferentdisloyal

Word family

devote verb
to give time or effort to something
devotion noun
great love or loyalty
devotee noun
an enthusiastic follower or fan
devotedly adverb
in a loving, loyal way

Commonly confused: devoted or devout?

devoted vs devout

Devout means deeply religious, whereas devoted means loving or committed to a person or cause.

Practice

The nurse was ___ to her patients and often stayed late to comfort them.

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