religious

[ ri-lij-uhs ]

adjective

1. of, relating to, or concerned with religion:

   a religious holiday.

2. imbued with or exhibiting religion; pious; devout; godly:

   a religious man.

   Synonyms: reverent

   Antonyms: impious

3. scrupulously faithful; conscientious:

   religious care.

   Synonyms: rigorous, meticulous, strict, scrupulous

4. pertaining to or connected with a monastic or religious order.
5. appropriate to religion or to sacred rites or observances.

noun

, plural re·li·gious.

1. a member of a religious order, congregation, etc.; a monk, friar, or nun.
2. the religious, devout or religious persons:

   Each year, thousands of the religious make pilgrimages to the shrine.

religious

/ rɪˈlɪdʒəs /

adjective

1. of, relating to, or concerned with religion
2. 1. pious; devout; godly
   2. ( as collective noun ; preceded by the )

      the religious

3. appropriate to or in accordance with the principles of a religion
4. scrupulous, exact, or conscientious
5. Christianity of or relating to a way of life dedicated to religion by the vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience, and defined by a monastic rule

noun

1. Christianity a member of an order or congregation living by such a rule; a monk, friar, or nun

Derived Forms

• reˈligiousness, noun
• reˈligiously, adverb

Other Words From

• re·li·gious·ly adverb
• re·li·gious·ness noun
• an·ti·re·li·gious adjective
• non·re·li·gious adjective
• non·re·li·gious·ness noun
• o·ver·re·li·gious adjective
• pre·re·li·gious adjective
• pseu·do·re·li·gious adjective
• qua·si-re·li·gious adjective
• ul·tra·re·li·gious adjective
• ul·tra·re·li·gious·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of religious¹

First recorded in 1175–1225; Middle English (from Old French ), from Latin religiōsus, equivalent to religi(ō) religion + -ōsus -ous

Synonym Study

Religious, devout, pious indicate a spirit of reverence toward God. Religious is a general word, applying to whatever pertains to faith or worship: a religious ceremony. Devout indicates a fervent spirit, usually genuine and often independent of outward observances: a deeply devout though unorthodox church member. Pious implies constant attention to, and extreme conformity with, outward observances. It can also suggest sham or hypocrisy: a pious hypocrite.

Example Sentences

The interview received widespread backlash from religious conservatives.

From Los Angeles Times

Music has always had strong emotional impact on human listeners in both contemporary and ancient cultures, hence its use in ritual religious and mythological contexts.

From Science Daily

Far more common in the religious right is a belief that men are incapable of controlling their desires.

From Salon

On the other side of the religious divide, pace bowler Mahmood found himself facing a deadly mob on a train.

From BBC

“We believe the president will defend religious freedom where the Democrats would not.”

From BBC

Related Words

• doctrinal
• holy
• sacred
• sectarian
• theological