WordGarden.iodevoutly
C2Pronunciation
UK
- /dɪvˈaʊtli/
US
- /dɪˈvaʊtli/
Meanings
Adverb
in a deeply religious or pious way
with strong dedication, loyalty, or earnest commitment
Beyond the definition
To act devoutly means to do something with deep religious feeling or with very sincere seriousness. Picture someone kneeling in prayer; they are acting devoutly. But the word also works outside religion: you might devoutly believe in an idea, devoutly support a cause, or devoutly hope for good news. It points to a strong inner belief or wish, not a casual one. Shakespeare used it this way too: in Hamlet, the prince speaks of a "consummation devoutly to be wish'd"—a deeply sincere wish for an end to his troubles.
The word devoutly describes acting, speaking, or feeling with deep religious devotion or with very sincere earnestness. It often carries a sense of reverence: someone might pray devoutly, worship devoutly, or be devoutly religious. In this religious sense, it suggests steady faith, not a surface habit.
However, devoutly is not limited to religion. It can also describe strong loyalty or commitment, especially when the feeling is serious and heartfelt: you can be devoutly loyal to your family, devoutly committed to a project, or devoutly believe something to be true.
One very common use is with hopes and wishes. If you say, "I devoutly hope you'll recover soon" or "She devoutly wished for peace," you mean the hope is deep and sincere.
Grammar note: devoutly is an adverb, so it can modify verbs ("They prayed devoutly") and also adjectives ("He is devoutly religious"). In both patterns, it adds weight and sincerity—the opposite of something said lightly or in passing.
Examples
- 1
Religious family
His parents are devoutly religious and pray together every evening.
- 2
Religious practice
Even on vacation, she devoutly observed the fast.
- 3
Moral belief
He devoutly believed that forgiveness mattered more than revenge.
- 4
Sincere hope
Many people devoutly hoped the ceasefire would last.
- Phrasedevoutly hoped
hoped very sincerely and strongly
See also
Similar
Shades of meaning
Contrast
- impiously
- irreverently
Used with (collocations)
- devoutly religious
- devoutly believe
- devoutly pray
- devoutly hope
Word family
Explore
Forms and spellings
1 form open this card.
Main spelling
- devoutlyadverb