dutiful

adjective

du·​ti·​ful ˈdü-ti-fəl How to pronounce dutiful (audio)
 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 adverb
dutifulness noun

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
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.
The month began with greater emphasis on your health and day-to-day routines, as the first quarter moon in Leo shook up your dutiful sixth house. Valerie Mesa, People.com, 9 May 2025 Without dutiful attention, these utilitarian items can quickly take your room from fab to drab, especially if not taken care of regularly. Nicole Letts, Southern Living, 23 Apr. 2025 Barasch is clearly having a blast as the adorably dutiful Frederic, though he sometimes gets lost in the murky waters between operetta and musical theater. Christian Lewis, Variety, 25 Apr. 2025 Yet everything remains the same for Delia whose romantic fantasies have given way to an embrace of her roles as dutiful wife and loving mother despite the sneering condescension and outright physical abuse at the hands of her strutting petty tyrant husband Ivano (Valerio Mastandrea). Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 7 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for dutiful

Word History

First Known Use

1552, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of dutiful was in 1552

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Cite this Entry

“Dutiful.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dutiful. Accessed 19 May. 2025.

Kids Definition

dutiful

adjective
du·​ti·​ful ˈd(y)üt-i-fəl How to pronounce dutiful (audio)
: having or showing a sense of duty
dutifully adverb
dutifulness noun

More from Merriam-Webster on dutiful

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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