religious

UK: /rɪˈlɪdʒəs/ US: /rɪˈlɪdʒəs/ ,(ri lij′əs)

Inflections of 'religious' (n): npl: religious

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

re•li•gious /rɪˈlɪdʒəs/   adj., n., pl. -gious. 
adj. 

1. of, relating to, or concerned with religion:
   [before a noun] a religious holiday.
2. filled with or showing religion;
   pious;
   devout.
3. conscientious:
   religious attention to detail.

n. [countable]

4. Religion a member of a religious order.

re•li•gious•ly, adv. See -lig-.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

re•li•gious  (ri lij′əs), adj., n., pl. -gious. 
adj. 

1. of, pertaining to, or concerned with religion:
   a religious holiday.
2. imbued with or exhibiting religion;
   pious;
   devout;
   godly:
   a religious man.
3. scrupulously faithful;
   conscientious:
   religious care.
4. Religion pertaining to or connected with a monastic or religious order.
5. appropriate to religion or to sacred rites or observances.

n. 

6. Religion a member of a religious order, congregation, etc.;
   a monk, friar, or nun.
7. the religious, devout or religious persons:
   Each year, thousands of the religious make pilgrimages to the shrine.

• Latin religiōsus, equivalent. to religi(ō) religion + -ōsus -ous
• Old French)
• Middle English (1175–1225

re•li′gious•ly, adv. 
re•li′gious•ness, n. 
Synonyms

• 2. reverent.
  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.
• 3. devoted, unswerving, meticulous.

Antonyms

• 2. impious.

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

religious / rɪˈlɪdʒəs/ adjective

1. of, relating to, or concerned with religion
2. pious; devout; godly
3. (as collective noun; preceded by the): the religious
4. appropriate to or in accordance with the principles of a religion
5. scrupulous, exact, or conscientious
6. 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. a member of an order or congregation living by such a rule; a monk, friar, or nun

reˈligiously adverb

reˈligiousness noun