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adj C1 Advanced

dutiful

Dutiful (adj) means Careful to do what duty, obligation, or respect requires, without complaint. Example: “Their dutiful son visited every Sunday without fail.”

adj
1
Careful to do what duty, obligation, or respect requires, without complaint.
"Their dutiful son visited every Sunday without fail."
"She gave a dutiful nod and got back to work."

How to use dutiful

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishSomeone who reliably does what's expected of them out of a sense of responsibility.

Common pairings
dutiful son dutiful employee dutiful obedience

Word forms

more dutiful comparative, most dutiful superlative

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Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

Their _____ son visited every Sunday without fail.

Etymology

Formed from "duty" plus "-ful," meaning "full of a sense of duty."

Rhymes for dutiful

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Frequently asked questions

What does “dutiful” mean?

The word “dutiful” means careful to do what duty, obligation, or respect requires, without complaint. In plain terms, someone who reliably does what's expected of them out of a sense of responsibility.

How do you use “dutiful” in a sentence?

Here is “dutiful” used in a sentence: “Their dutiful son visited every Sunday without fail.”

What part of speech is “dutiful”?

“Dutiful” is an adjective.

What is the meaning of dutiful?

"dutiful" (adj) means careful to do what duty, obligation, or respect requires, without complaint.

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