Dictionary.com
Thesaurus.com
Synonyms

devotion

American  
[dih-voh-shuhn] / dɪˈvoʊ ʃən /

noun

  1. profound dedication, especially to religion.

  2. earnest attachment to a cause, person, etc.

    Synonyms:
    ardor, zeal
  3. an assignment or appropriation to any purpose, cause, etc..

    the devotion of one's wealth and time to scientific advancement.

  4. Ecclesiastical. Often devotions religious observance or worship; a form of prayer or worship for special use.


devotion British  
/ dɪˈvəʊʃən /

noun

  1. (often foll by to) strong attachment (to) or affection (for a cause, person, etc) marked by dedicated loyalty

  2. religious zeal; piety

  3. (often plural) religious observance or prayers

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Usage

What are other ways to say devotion? The noun devotion refers to profound dedication or earnest attachment to a cause, person, or deity. How does devotion compare to love and affection? Learn more on Thesaurus.com.

Other Word Forms

  • predevotion noun
  • superdevotion noun

Etymology

Origin of devotion

First recorded in 1150–1200; Middle English devocioun, from Anglo-French, from Late Latin dēvōtiōn-, stem of dēvōtiō “consecration, enchantment, vow”; equivalent to devote + -ion

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

During my days in Panama with him, I saw up close just how far he’d gone in his devotion to this alluring—but very questionable—kind of medicine.

From Slate • Mar. 30, 2026

The pope "wanted to see for himself what is happening in Monaco, where this movement of renewal is based on an embraced faith, and on an inclusive popular piety and devotion," he told AFP.

From Barron's • Mar. 25, 2026

Kim, Khloé, Kourtney and the rest never had the “Mormon Wives”’ tradwife-adjacent allure, nor their stars’ devotion to fourth wall-breaking.

From Salon • Mar. 21, 2026

As Hyllus, the son of Hercules and Dejanira, David Portillo was similarly impressive, his bright, easy tenor and excellent diction assets in his ardent filial devotion and wooing of Iole.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 18, 2026

The national leadership noticed Paul’s eloquence and devotion to suffrage, and after her lecture she was asked to serve on their board.

From "Votes for Women!" by Winifred Conkling