religious

1 of 2

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

3

a

: scrupulously and conscientiously faithful

b

: fervent, zealous

religiously adverb

religiousness noun

religious

2 of 2

noun

plural religious

: a member of a religious order under monastic vows

Synonyms

Adjective

• spiritual
• sacred
• liturgical
• devotional
• holy

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

The lawsuit in Alexandria, Virginia federal court accuses Apple of religious discrimination and retaliation in violation of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. —Reuters, CNN Money, 1 Oct. 2025

Lee, one of the few female religious leaders of the 18th century, and her followers were known for worshipping through ecstatic song and movement. —Rebecca Rubin, Variety, 30 Sep. 2025

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

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

First Known Use

Adjective

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

13th century, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing religious

• anti-religious
• inter-religious

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