pious
Pious (adj) means Deeply religious or devout. Example: “Her pious grandmother attended church every morning.”
How to use pious
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishSincerely religious — or, used critically, someone acting morally superior.
Be careful with tone: calling someone "pious" can be a neutral compliment about faith or a subtle insult about hypocrisy, depending on context.
Word forms
more pious comparative, most pious superlative
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Her _____ grandmother attended church every morning.
Etymology
From Latin pius, "dutiful, devout, kind," related to a Proto-Indo-European root meaning "pure."
Related words
Rhymes for pious
See all rhymes for pious →Frequently asked questions
What does “pious” mean?
The word “pious” means deeply religious or devout. In plain terms, sincerely religious — or, used critically, someone acting morally superior.
How do you pronounce “pious”?
“Pious” is pronounced PEYE-uhs (/ˈpaɪəs/ in IPA).
How do you use “pious” in a sentence?
Here is “pious” used in a sentence: “Her pious grandmother attended church every morning.”
What part of speech is “pious”?
“Pious” is an adjective.
Where does the word “pious” come from?
The word “pious” comes from Latin. From Latin pius, "dutiful, devout, kind," related to a Proto-Indo-European root meaning "pure.".
Is “pious” a common word?
“Pious” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “pious” have?
“Pious” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: deeply religious or devout.