# dutiful

/ˈdutifəɫ/ (US) · /djˈuːtɪfəl/ (UK) · CEFR B2 · Adjective

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/dutiful
Updated: 2026-10-16

## Definition

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.

For teachers: 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.

## Synonyms

responsible, conscientious

## Antonyms

irresponsible, neglectful

## Usage notes

- Typically placed before the noun it modifies; also used predicatively after 'be'.

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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.