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Meaning & use

devout

adjective·Academic

Last updated

UK/dɪˈvaʊt/
US/dɪˈvaʊt/

Meanings

  1. adjectivecomparable

    Very serious and sincere about practicing a religion.

    Grammar: Used before a noun or after a linking verb: a devout Catholic; her family is devout.

    Patterns

    • a devout believer
    • devout in your faith

    His grandmother was a devout Muslim who prayed five times a day.

    The devout pilgrims walked barefoot to the shrine.

    She came from a devout family that never missed Sunday services.

  2. adjectivebefore a nounfigurative

    Very committed and sincere about a cause, hobby, or belief other than religion.

    Grammar: Used before a noun, often of enthusiasm: a devout fan.

    Patterns

    • a devout supporter of something

    He is a devout supporter of local football and never misses a match.

    As a devout vegetarian, she checks every label.

    The professor was a devout believer in open science.

Word forms

comparativemore devout
superlativemost devout

Common combinations

devout Catholic
He was raised as a devout Catholic.
devout follower
A devout follower of the guru, she gave up her job.
deeply devout
The village is deeply devout and quiet on Sundays.
devout believer
A devout believer in hard work, he rose before dawn.
devout prayer
The monks offered devout prayers at dawn.

Synonyms and how they differ

pious
Pious can suggest showy or self-righteous religion, while devout is simply sincere and positive.
religious
Religious just means having a faith, whereas devout means practicing it earnestly.
committed
Committed is general and works for any cause, with no suggestion of worship.
faithful
Faithful stresses loyalty to a belief or person over time, while devout stresses sincere practice.

Opposites

irreligiouslapsed

Word family

devoutly adverb
in a sincere, religious way
devoutness noun
the quality of being sincerely religious
devotion noun
deep loyalty or religious feeling
devotee noun
an enthusiastic follower or fan

Commonly confused: devout or devoured?

devout vs devoured

Devoured is the past tense of devour, meaning ate hungrily; it only sounds somewhat like devout in quick speech.

Practice

Her grandmother, a ____ Catholic, attended Mass every morning.

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