Word
dutiful
Phoneticsdu·ti·ful, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈdutifəɫ/
UK/djˈuːtɪfəl/
Definition
adj. doing what you are supposed to do because it is your duty or responsibility. You use it for people who follow rules and take care of others.
adj. Willing to carry out duties and obligations with care and obedience; attentive to responsibility toward parents, employers, or authority. Often describes steady, compliant behaviour rather than enthusiasm.
Examples
“She is a dutiful daughter who calls her parents daily.”
“The dutiful nurse checks every patient twice before the night shift ends.”
“The dutiful clerk stayed late to correct the filing error, believing loyalty to the office outweighed personal convenience.”
Examples
simple
“She is a dutiful daughter who calls her parents daily.”
contextual
“The dutiful nurse checks every patient twice before the night shift ends.”
complex
“The dutiful clerk stayed late to correct the filing error, believing loyalty to the office outweighed personal convenience.”
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “dutiful” in context.
Verb
01. dutiful to
“He has always been dutiful to his family and teachers.”
adj + prep
02. dutiful towards
“She felt dutiful towards her elderly employer and visited her often.”
adj + prep
03. remain dutiful
“Despite his busy job, he remained dutiful to his ageing parents.”
verb + adj
Adjective
04. perfectly dutiful
“She was a perfectly dutiful daughter who visited her parents every Sunday.”
adv + adj
05. quietly dutiful
“He was quietly dutiful, helping his grandparents without ever complaining.”
adv + adj
Noun
06. dutiful child
“He was a dutiful child who always helped with the housework.”
adj + noun
07. dutiful citizen
“As a dutiful citizen, she votes in every local election.”
adj + noun
08. dutiful daughter
“The dutiful daughter nursed her father throughout his long illness.”
adj + noun
09. dutiful son
“As a dutiful son, he calls his mother every evening after work.”
adj + noun
10. dutiful student
“The dutiful student completed every assignment on time.”
adj + noun
11. a dutiful son and husband
“He is respected as a dutiful son and husband who puts family first.”
12. a perfectly dutiful student
“He was a perfectly dutiful student who never missed homework.”
Usage
Typically placed before the noun it modifies; also used predicatively after 'be'.
Etymology
From duty + -ful.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Word family
ADJECTIVE
ADVERB
Related words
- 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.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL 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: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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