religious
rih-LIHJ-uhs
Religious (adjective) means relating to religion or religious belief. Example: “The museum has a collection of religious paintings from many different cultures.”
adjective
1
Relating to religion or religious belief.
"The museum has a collection of religious paintings from many different cultures."
"Schools often teach pupils about religious holidays celebrated around the world."
"The town holds an annual religious festival."
2
Devoutly committed to religious practice and belief.
"He comes from a very religious family who pray together every evening."
"The religious couple rarely missed a Sunday service."
"Her grandmother was deeply religious and attended church daily."
3
Done with great dedication or strictness, as if it were a religious duty.
"She is religious about going for a run before breakfast."
"My dad is religious about his Saturday football and never plans anything else."
"He is religious about checking the locks before bed."
How to use religious
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishConnected to religion, or devoted to something with almost religious dedication.
Common pairings
religious belief
religious festival
religiously devoted
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Word forms
- Plural
- religiouses
- Comparative
- more religious
- Superlative
- most religious
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The museum has a collection of _____ paintings from many different cultures.
Etymology
From Old French religieux, from Latin religiosus, "religious, conscientious."
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for religious
See all rhymes for religious →Frequently asked questions
What does “religious” mean?
The word “religious” means relating to religion or religious belief. In plain terms, connected to religion, or devoted to something with almost religious dedication.
How do you pronounce “religious”?
“Religious” is pronounced rih-LIHJ-uhs (/ɹɪˈlɪd͡ʒ.əs/ in IPA).
How do you use “religious” in a sentence?
Here is “religious” used in a sentence: “The town holds an annual religious festival.”
What is the opposite of “religious”?
The opposite of “religious” — its antonyms — are irreligious, profane, secular, atheistic and areligious.
What part of speech is “religious”?
“Religious” is an adjective.
Where does the word “religious” come from?
The word “religious” comes from Latin. From Old French religieux, from Latin religiosus, "religious, conscientious.".
Is “religious” a common word?
“Religious” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “religious” have?
“Religious” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: relating to religion or religious belief.
What is the difference between 'religious' and 'spiritual'?
'Religious' means following an organized religion — its beliefs, practices, and traditions, often within a community. 'Spiritual' describes a personal sense of connection to something greater, which may exist entirely outside any formal religion. Many people call themselves spiritual but not religious, meaning they hold faith without belonging to an institution.
What is the opposite of 'religious'?
The main opposite is 'secular,' meaning not connected to religion — a secular school teaches no faith. 'Non-religious,' 'irreligious,' and 'atheist' also serve, depending on meaning: secular describes something separate from religion, while atheist describes a person who does not believe in any god.
Can 'religious' mean very dedicated?
Yes. Beyond faith, 'religious' is used informally to mean doing something with strict, unwavering regularity. To say someone is 'religious about going to the gym' means they never miss it. Here the word borrows the devotion associated with religious practice and applies it to an everyday habit.
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