# devoted

/dɪˈvoʊtɪd/ (US) · /dɪvˈəʊtɪd/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/devoted
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. loyal and loving

adjective · CEFR B2

having great love or loyalty for someone or something.

For teachers: characterised by strong emotional attachment or profound loyalty toward a person, cause, or pursuit.

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

### 2. dedicated to a purpose

adjective · CEFR C1 · Formal

used only for one particular purpose or activity.

For teachers: exclusively dedicated or consecrated to a specific function, purpose, or deity.

- This small chapel is devoted to the memory of the soldiers who died in the war.
- 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. past tense of devote

verb · CEFR B2

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

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

- She devoted her whole life to helping the poor in her city.
- Having devoted several decades to the study of ancient manuscripts, the professor was finally able to publish his definitive translation.

## Examples

- She is a devoted mother who spends all her time with her kids.
- The museum was built thanks to a group of devoted volunteers who worked for years to collect the local history.
- Despite the team's losing streak, their most devoted fans continued to fill the stadium every weekend, demonstrating a level of loyalty rarely seen in professional sports.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.