devotion
dih-VOH-shuhn
Devotion (noun) means Strong love, loyalty, or commitment to a person, cause, or activity. Example: “Her devotion to her students was obvious in every lesson she taught.”
noun
1
Strong love, loyalty, or commitment to a person, cause, or activity.
"Her devotion to her students was obvious in every lesson she taught."
"The dog's devotion to its owner never wavered."
"Years of devotion to her art finally earned her a place in the gallery."
2
Deep religious commitment or worship.
"The monks spent hours each day in quiet devotion."
"She knelt in prayer, her devotion clear to everyone in the chapel."
"Pilgrims travelled for days to show their devotion at the shrine."
How to use devotion
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishDeep, loyal commitment to a person, cause, or faith.
Common pairings
devotion to duty
religious devotion
with devotion
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Word forms
- Plural
- devotions
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Her _____ to her students was obvious in every lesson she taught.
Etymology
From Old French devocion, from Latin dēvōtiō, from dēvovēre, "to vow or dedicate."
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for devotion
region
ablation
allusion
emulsion
ideation
novation
diffusion
elocution
extension
oxidation
perfusion
selection
See all rhymes for devotion →
Frequently asked questions
What does “devotion” mean?
The word “devotion” means strong love, loyalty, or commitment to a person, cause, or activity. In plain terms, deep, loyal commitment to a person, cause, or faith.
How do you pronounce “devotion”?
“Devotion” is pronounced dih-VOH-shuhn (/dɪˈvoʊʃən/ in IPA).
How do you use “devotion” in a sentence?
Here is “devotion” used in a sentence: “Her devotion to her students was obvious in every lesson she taught.”
What part of speech is “devotion”?
“Devotion” is a noun.
Where does the word “devotion” come from?
The word “devotion” comes from Latin. From Old French devocion, from Latin dēvōtiō, from dēvovēre, "to vow or dedicate.".
Is “devotion” a common word?
“Devotion” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “devotion” have?
“Devotion” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: strong love, loyalty, or commitment to a person, cause, or activity.
What is the difference between devotion and dedication?
Devotion emphasises deep love, loyalty, or commitment, often with an emotional dimension, while dedication emphasises consistent effort and application toward a goal or duty. Devotion can feel more personal or heartfelt, while dedication often describes disciplined, ongoing work.
What is the difference between devotion and worship?
Devotion can refer broadly to strong loyalty or commitment to a person, cause, or activity, while its religious sense specifically means deep religious commitment or worship. Worship itself refers more narrowly to acts of reverence directed at a deity.
Can devotion be used outside religious contexts?
Yes, devotion is commonly used for strong love, loyalty, or commitment to a person, cause, or activity, such as devotion to a partner or devotion to one's work, separate from its religious meaning.
