devote

[ dih-voht ]

verb (used with object)

, de·vot·ed, de·vot·ing.

1. to give up or appropriate to or concentrate on a particular pursuit, occupation, purpose, cause, etc.:

   to devote one's time to reading.

   Synonyms: consign, apply, assign

2. to appropriate by or as if by a vow; set apart or dedicate by a solemn or formal act; consecrate:

   She devoted her life to God.

3. to commit to evil or destruction; doom.

devote

/ dɪˈvəʊt /

verb

1. to apply or dedicate (oneself, time, money, etc) to some pursuit, cause, etc
2. obsolete.
   to curse or doom

Derived Forms

• deˈvotement, noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of devote¹

First recorded in 1580–90; from Latin dēvōtus “vowed,” past participle of dēvovēre “to vow,” from dē- de- + vovēre “to vow” ( vow )

Word History and Origins

Origin of devote¹

C16: from Latin dēvōtus devoted, solemnly promised, from dēvovēre to vow; see de- , vow

Synonym Study

Devote, dedicate, consecrate share the sense of assigning or applying someone or something to an activity, function, or end. Devote, though it has some overtones of religious dedication, is the most general of the three terms: He devoted his free time to mastering the computer. Dedicate is more solemn and carries an ethical or moral tone: We are dedicated to the achievement of equality for all. Consecrate, even in nonreligious contexts, clearly implies a powerful and sacred dedication: consecrated to the service of humanity.

Example Sentences

“The moment you put yourself in a first-class hotel, you become walled off from life, in a world devoted to creature comforts,” Mr. Frommer told The Los Angeles Times in 2009.

From New York Times

In some districts, it amounted to highly sought-after schools devoted to high achievers.

From Los Angeles Times

Biden’s bipartisan infrastructure bill devoted $5 billion to build public charging stations for cars and trucks every 50 miles along interstate highways.

From Los Angeles Times

Judith Jamison, a renowned performer and choreographer who devoted most of her dance career to the trailblazing Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, has died.

From Los Angeles Times

The U.N. commission devoted special attention in its report to particularly egregious allegations, one of which was the story of five-year-old Hind Rajab and her family, and the paramedics who tried to save her life.

From Salon

Related Words

• allot
• apply
• assign
• dedicate
• donate
• give
• give away
• present