religious

1 of 3

adjective

re·​li·​gious ri-ˈli-jəs 

1

: relating to or manifesting faithful devotion to an acknowledged ultimate reality or deity

a religious person

religious attitudes

2

: of, relating to, or devoted to religious beliefs or observances

joined a religious order

see also religious group

3

a

: scrupulously and conscientiously faithful

b

: fervent, zealous

religiously adverb

religiousness noun

religious

2 of 3

noun (1)

plural religious

Christianity

: a member of a religious order under monastic vows

religiousness

3 of 3

noun (2)

re·​li·​gious·​ness

plural -es

: the quality or state of being religious : religiosity

Synonyms of religious

Adjective

• sacred
• spiritual
• liturgical
• devotional

Examples of religious in a Sentence

Adjective

My religious beliefs forbid the drinking of alcohol.

Religious leaders called for an end to the violence.

His wife is very active in the church, but he's not religious himself.

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Meta also excludes religious views and several other sensitive categories from ad personalization. — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 24 Aug. 2026

Depending on state policy, parents may be able to opt out of certain or all vaccines by claiming an exemption for medical, religious or philosophical reasons. — Jackie Flynn Mogensen, Scientific American, 24 Aug. 2026

Noun

As a young religious, Bishop-elect Lombardo did missionary work in Bolivia and Honduras. — Laura Rodríguez Presa, chicagotribune.com, 11 Sep. 2020

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Middle English, from Anglo-French religius, from Latin religiosus, from religio

Noun (1)

Middle English, from Anglo-French religius, from religius, adjective

Noun (2)

Middle English religiousnesse, from religious + -nesse -ness

First Known Use

Adjective

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun (1)

13th century, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing religious

• anti-religious
• inter-religious
• religious group

Rhymes for religious

• irreligious
• nonreligious
• interreligious
• litigious
• prestigious
• prodigious

Kids Definition

religious

1 of 2 adjective

re·​li·​gious ri-ˈlij-əs 

1

: devoted to God or to the powers or forces believed to govern life

a very religious person

2

: of or relating to religion

religious beliefs

3

: very devoted and faithful

performed his duties with religious regularity

religiously adverb

religiousness noun

religious

2 of 2 noun

plural religious

: a member of a religious order