English Reference

Word

devotee

Phoneticsdevo·tee

US/ˌdɛvəˈti/

UK/dˌɛvəʊtˈiː/

Countable noun

Definition

n. a person who is very interested in a specific activity, hobby, or belief. You use this to describe someone who spends a lot of time and energy on one thing.

n. a person who is deeply committed to a particular activity, belief, or person. Often used to describe a follower of a specific religion or a passionate enthusiast of a hobby.

Examples

“He is a devoted devotee of classical music.”

“As a devoted devotee of the sport, she attends every local match and follows the international league closely.”

“The philosopher was a devoted devotee of the ancient texts, spending decades in quiet study to understand the nuances of the original language.”

Examples

simple

“He is a devoted devotee of classical music.”

contextual

“As a devoted devotee of the sport, she attends every local match and follows the international league closely.”

complex

“The philosopher was a devoted devotee of the ancient texts, spending decades in quiet study to understand the nuances of the original language.”

Real-World Examples

“NPR's Linda Holmes is a daily puzzle devotee.”
NPR 5 Sept 2026
“Devotees carry these idols through the streets before immersing them in the Arabian Sea as part of the annual 10-day Ganesh Chaturthi festival.”
Al Jazeera 23 Aug 2026

Etymology

From devote + -ee. The narrowed meaning in sense 3 arises from the sound similarity with amputee.

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

Word family

NOUN

devotee(C1)

Domain

Religion

This entry

Exam level
CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
Frequency
Occasional
Level
C1 · Advanced
Updated

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English Reference