pious
UK: ˈpaɪəs | US: ˈpaɪəs
adj. devoutly religious or reverent
adj. showing hypocritical or exaggerated reverence
pious = pi<dutiful> + ous<adjective suffix>
- pi (from Latin pius, meaning "dutiful, devout, kind")
- ous (Latin-derived suffix forming adjectives, indicating "full of" or "having the quality of")
Etymology Origin:
The word pious traces back to Latin pius, which originally described a sense of duty—particularly to gods, family, or country. Over time, it narrowed to emphasize religious devotion. The suffix -ous (from Latin -osus) was added to form the adjective, solidifying its meaning as "full of reverence." Interestingly, pius also gave rise to piety (noun form) and impious (its antonym). The word’s evolution reflects a cultural shift from broad dutifulness to focused religious sincerity, sometimes carrying a negative connotation of excessive or insincere devotion.
She was known for her pious dedication to daily prayers.
His pious demeanor masked a lack of genuine compassion.
The pious pilgrims traveled to the sacred site every year.
Critics accused the leader of using pious rhetoric to manipulate followers.
Despite his pious declarations, his actions were often selfish.