devout
Definitions
Deeply religious; sincerely devoted to a faith
虔诚的，笃信宗教的
Sincere, earnest, heartfelt (of a hope or wish)
（愿望等）诚挚的，由衷的
Root Breakdown
Root-derivedFrom the same dēvovēre 'to vow,' but it came through Old French devot, keeping the older spelling. devout is the branch that stayed religious: a devout believer is wholly pledged to a faith.
Root devot still carries 5 more wordsWhy It Means This
devout and devoted are siblings that split duties. devout kept the altar — it almost only describes religious faith (devout Catholic, devout prayer). devoted left the altar — it now describes any wholehearted loyalty (devoted fan). Saying someone is a 'devout fan' sounds off precisely because devout never secularized.
Common Collocations
- 1.devout believer虔诚的信徒
- 2.devout Catholic虔诚的天主教徒
- 3.devout Muslim虔诚的穆斯林
- 4.devoutly religious笃信宗教地
Example Sentences
- 1.
She comes from a devout Catholic family.
- 2.
He was devout and prayed five times a day.
- 3.
It is my devout hope that they will be reunited.
Easily Confused
devout vs devoted — devout is for religious faith (devout believer); devoted is for general loyalty (devoted fan, devoted to her job). If it's about God or a faith → devout; if it's about a person, cause, or hobby → devoted.