devout

1 of 2

adjective

de·​vout di-ˈvau̇t 

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

Adjective

• loyal
• staunch
• steadfast
• faithful
• devoted
• true
• dedicated

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

Adjective

The early Robin Hood was no polished folk hero, Jones says, but a violent, devout yeoman pushed to society’s edge by corrupt officials. — Jp Mangalindan, Time, 11 Sep. 2026

Johnny Cash was a lot of things — devout Christian, country superstar, anti-Vietnam activist, variety show host. — Elisabeth Garber-Paul, Rolling Stone, 8 Sep. 2026

The religious approach appealed to devout Catholics such as Velazquez, an immigrant from Mexico who spent three decades without status in the country, cutting hair from her home and cleaning houses when business was slow. — Itzel Luna, Los Angeles Times, 30 Aug. 2026

Ade, a devout Christian and the family’s sole breadwinner, struggles to understand her younger sister Titi, an aspiring singer whose independent spirit challenges convention. — Zac Ntim, Deadline, 28 Aug. 2026

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

Rhymes for devout

• about
• bailout
• blackout
• blowout
• breakout
• burnout
• buyout
• checkout
• closeout
• cutout
• dropout
• dugout

Kids Definition

devout

adjective

de·​vout di-ˈvau̇t 

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