English Reference
Noun

devotee

n.
C1 Advanced US /ˌdɛvəˈti/ UK /dˌɛvəʊtˈiː/ devo·tee UK spelling devotee's, devotee's Religion

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.


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.

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

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.

This entry
Level C1 · Advanced
Frequency Occasional
Updated