dutiful

adjective du·ti·ful \ ˈdü-ti-fəl also ˈdyü- \

Updated on: 29 Mar 2018

Definition of dutiful

1 : filled with or motivated by a sense of duty

a dutiful child

2 : proceeding from or expressive of a sense of duty

a dutiful effort

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dutifully

play \-f(ə-)lē\ adverb

—

dutifulness

play \-fəl-nəs\ noun

See dutiful defined for English-language learners

See dutiful defined for kids

Examples of dutiful in a Sentence

the dutiful way he took care of his sick mother
the family showed a dutiful deference to their minister when he came to dinner

Recent Examples of dutiful from the Web

But against the backdrop of socioeconomic decline, guns become a powerful means of asserting oneself as an upstanding person, as a dutiful father, and even as a committed community member.

— jennifer carlson, Vox, "Why so many American men want to be the “good guy with a gun”," 23 Mar. 2018
The drive experience is friendly, dutiful, unremarkable.

— dan neil, WSJ, "2018 Nissan Leaf: A Worthy Electric Rival for the Chevy Bolt?," 22 Mar. 2018
Second, the Mammy, the dutiful caretaker who insured that everyone, white and black, adhered to the tenets of white supremacy.

— arica l. coleman, Time, "There’s a True Story Behind Black Panther’s Strong Women. Here’s Why That Matters," 22 Feb. 2018
Family members described Shropshire as a dutiful grandson, one who would rent a van and take neighborhood children skating and to the carnival.

— tim prudente, baltimoresun.com, "Head of heroin ring that led authorities to Baltimore Police Gun Trace Task Force sentenced to 25 years," 16 Feb. 2018
The Fifth Amendment would hardly serve the President’s interests in a proceeding before a dutiful Congress.

— martin london, Time, "Congress Should Impeach President Trump if He Refuses to Speak to Mueller," 14 Feb. 2018
On its deck, amidst the dutiful sailors, stood the fantastical feathered entourage of the 2018 king of the Zulu Social Aid and Pleasure Club.

— doug maccash, NOLA.com, "Rex and King Zulu unite to welcome Mardi Gras 2018," 13 Feb. 2018
Played by Jimmy Stewart in his prime, Bailey is a dutiful everyman.

— caroline hallemann, Town & Country, "If You Watch Only One Christmas Movie This Year, Let It Be 'It's a Wonderful Life'," 16 Dec. 2016
Among Trump supporters and loyalists, Pence has developed a reputation as a dutiful soldier who stays out of trouble.

— tom lobianco, The Seattle Times, "Pence’s approach to troubles in White House: He wasn’t there," 4 Feb. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'dutiful.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of dutiful

1552

in the meaning defined at sense 1

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dutiful Synonyms

DUTIFUL Defined for English Language Learners

dutiful

adjective

Definition of dutiful for English Language Learners

: doing what is expected of you

DUTIFUL Defined for Kids

dutiful

adjective du·ti·ful \ ˈdü-ti-fəl , ˈdyü- \

Definition of dutiful for Students

: doing or showing the willingness to do what is expected or required

a dutiful child

—

dutifully

\-fə-lē\ adverb

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See words that rhyme with dutiful Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for dutiful Spanish Central: Translation of dutiful Nglish: Translation of dutiful for Spanish speakers

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dutiful

Definition of dutiful

dutifully

dutifulness

Examples of dutiful in a Sentence

Recent Examples of dutiful from the Web

First Known Use of dutiful

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DUTIFUL Defined for English Language Learners

dutiful

Definition of dutiful for English Language Learners

DUTIFUL Defined for Kids

dutiful

Definition of dutiful for Students

dutifully

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