DictionaryAI

religious

ri-LIJ-uhs/ɹɪˈlɪd͡ʒ.əs/

5 meanings of religious

Practice

  1. 1
    about faithadjective
    Having to do with religion or with how people worship.

    The class covered the religious holidays of several cultures.

    They visited a famous religious building in the old part of the city.

    UsageUsually before a noun: religious holidays, religious art.

    Similarspiritual, sacred, devotional

    Oppositesecular

  2. 2
    devoutadjective
    Following a religion seriously, by praying, worshiping, and keeping its rules.

    My grandmother is very religious and goes to church every Sunday.

    Her family is religious, so they pray together before every meal.

    UsageOften very religious or deeply religious, about a person's own faith.

    Similardevout, pious, observant, faithful

    Oppositeirreligious, nonreligious

  3. 3
    obsessiveadjective
    Very careful and serious about doing something, the way a person follows a religion.

    Like a fan who never misses a single game of their favorite team.

    He is religious about brushing his teeth twice a day.

    Our coach is religious about starting practice exactly on time.

    UsageOften religious about a habit: religious about brushing your teeth.

    Similarscrupulous, meticulous, rigorous, conscientious, fanatical

    Oppositecareless, lax, negligent

    Note
  4. 4
    vowed communityadjective
    Belonging or relating to a community of monks, nuns, or others who make special promises to live for their faith.

    She chose the religious life and went to live in a convent with other sisters.

    He took his religious vows after five years of training with the monks.

    UsageBefore a noun: religious life, religious vows.

    Similarmonastic

    Oppositelay

    Note

Less common meaning

  1. 5
    monk or nunnouncountable
    A person, like a monk or a nun, who lives a life of faith under special promises.

    Each religious in the convent gets up early to pray before breakfast.

    As a young religious, Brother Thomas spent his days teaching and gardening.

    Oppositelayperson

    Note

Practice

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Origin

This word came through Middle English and Old French from the Latin word "religiōsus," from "religiō."

Checked 5 Nov 2026 · 2 facts