English Reference
adjective · verb

devoted

adj. · v.
US /dɪˈvoʊtɪd/ UK /dɪvˈəʊtɪd/ de·vot·ed

  1. 01 B2 Upper Intermediate

    adj.having great love or loyalty for someone or something.

    adj.characterised by strong emotional attachment or profound loyalty toward a person, cause, or pursuit.

    Simple

    He is a devoted father who spends every weekend playing with his children.

    In context

    Despite the long hours and modest pay, she remained a devoted teacher, spending her evenings preparing lessons that would engage her most struggling students.

    Usage

    Always followed by the preposition 'to' when an object is specified.

    Pitfall
    He is devoted with his work. He is devoted to his work.

    The adjective 'devoted' always takes the preposition 'to'.

  2. 02 C1 Advanced Formal

    adj.used only for one particular purpose or activity.

    adj.exclusively dedicated or consecrated to a specific function, purpose, or deity.

    Simple

    This small chapel is devoted to the memory of the soldiers who died in the war.

    In context

    The final section of the report is devoted entirely to the long-term environmental impacts of the proposed industrial expansion.

    Usage

    Often used in religious or highly formal administrative contexts.

  3. 03 B2 Upper Intermediate

    v.the past tense of 'devote', meaning you gave your time or effort to something.

    v.the past tense and past participle of the transitive verb 'devote', meaning to give or apply entirely to a particular activity.

    Simple

    She devoted her whole life to helping the poor in her city.

    In context

    Having devoted several decades to the study of ancient manuscripts, the professor was finally able to publish his definitive translation.

Her devoted mom Elizabeth ( Melanie Lynskey ) has cancer, and thinks she should maybe wait until after the run to tell Soph the awful truth, so as not to spoil her big moment.

The Guardian· 12 Aug 2026

Straus and his wife devoted much of their time and money to this work.

The Conversation· 11 Aug 2026

From devote + -ed.

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

This entry
Level B2 · Upper Intermediate
Frequency Common
Updated