piety

[ pahy-i-tee ]

noun

, plural pi·e·ties.

1. reverence for God or devout fulfillment of religious obligations:

   a prayer full of piety.

   Synonyms: awe, veneration, respect

2. the quality or state of being pious:

   saintly piety.

   Synonyms: devoutness, godliness, holiness, sanctity, devotion

3. dutiful respect or regard for parents, homeland, etc.:

   filial piety.

4. a pious act, remark, belief, or the like:

   the pieties and sacrifices of an austere life.

piety

/ ˈpaɪɪtɪ /

noun

1. dutiful devotion to God and observance of religious principles
2. the quality or characteristic of being pious
3. a pious action, saying, etc
4. rare.
   devotion and obedience to parents or superiors

Other Words From

• super·pie·ty noun plural superpieties
• un·pie·ty noun plural unpieties

Word History and Origins

Origin of piety¹

First recorded in 1275–1325; Middle English piete, from Middle French, from Latin pietās, equivalent to pi(us) + -etās, variant (after i ) of -itās; pious, -ity

Word History and Origins

Origin of piety¹

C13 piete, from Old French, from Latin pietās piety, dutifulness, from pius pious

Example Sentences

It's certainly whiplash-inducing to be here, where attendees swing wildly between showy displays of Christian piety and vulgar and even threatening language toward fellow Americans who disagree with them politically.

From Salon

Conspicous piety has long been a centerpiece of Modi’s brand, but he’s also begun suggesting that he was chosen by God.

From Seattle Times

That includes the headscarves some Muslim women want to wear for piety and modesty, even as others fight them as a symbol of oppression.

From Seattle Times

Beyond skewering white gay male culture, the movie is also a dig at the pieties of the recently politicized.

From New York Times

Curbs on religious freedom include waging a rigorous campaign against public signs of piety.

From New York Times

Related Words

• fervor
• loyalty
• religiosity
• reverence
• zeal