devout

adjective

de·​vout di-ˈvau̇t How to pronounce devout (audio)
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 cowardG. B. Shaw
b
: warmly sincere
a devout wish for peace
devoutly adverb
devoutness noun

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
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.
His devout love for these sneakers has also turned my grandma into a convert, and now the two happily sport their Kiziks all over Thailand, walking from food stall to food stall. Alexandra Domrongchai, Travel + Leisure, 24 Aug. 2025 The governor and first lady Maria Lee, both devout Christians, have been involved in missionary work and have helped refugees in the Nashville area. Kelly Puente, The Tennessean, 21 Aug. 2025 One episode focuses on Sollecito’s plight, equal to yet overshadowed by his ex-girlfriend’s; Mignini, a devout Catholic who lost his father at an early age, is developed beyond a cartoon villain. Alison Herman, Variety, 20 Aug. 2025 Growing up in Livingstone, Zambia, Oza was a devout soda drinker. Chloe Sorvino, Forbes.com, 15 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for devout

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of devout was in the 13th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Devout.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/devout. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.

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

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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