dutiful

adjective

du·​ti·​ful ˈdü-ti-fəl 

also ˈdyü-

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

dutifully

ˈd(y)ü-ti-f(ə-)lē 

adverb

dutifulness

ˈd(y)ü-ti-fəl-nəs 

noun

Synonyms of dutiful

• respectful
• deferent

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 on the Web

Like that dutiful mastiff, this Urus is happiest when let off the leash. — Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 17 June 2026

Mercifully, a dutiful crab and a dim-witted seagull can pick up the slack. — Lincee Ray, Entertainment Weekly, 25 June 2026

The poem contrasts this process with dutiful, dry record-keeping, which is more faithful to what’s known but evokes less of what’s not. — Katy Waldman, New Yorker, 1 June 2026

The two are still polar opposites; Sally is a dutiful mother who bakes beautiful cakes and avoids men while Gillian is all about finding literal Chads on Tinder. — Maya Georgi, Rolling Stone, 24 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1552, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for dutiful

• undutiful

Kids Definition

dutiful

adjective

du·​ti·​ful ˈd(y)üt-i-fəl 

: having or showing a sense of duty

dutifully

-f(ə-)lē 

adverb

dutifulness

-fəl-nəs 

noun