Word
dutifully
Phoneticsdu·ti·ful·ly, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈdutifəɫi/
UK/djˈuːtɪfəli/
Adverb of manner
Definition
adv. by doing what you are expected or asked to do, because you feel it is your duty. You do it carefully even if you do not feel excited about it.
adv. in a conscientious and obedient way, carrying out an expected duty or obligation. Implies compliance from a sense of responsibility rather than enthusiasm.
Examples
“She dutifully takes her medicine every morning.”
“Every Sunday he dutifully calls his parents to check on their health and share family news.”
“Though exhausted by the long journey, the nurse dutifully completed her rounds, checking each patient with quiet care before resting herself.”
Examples
simple
“She dutifully takes her medicine every morning.”
contextual
“Every Sunday he dutifully calls his parents to check on their health and share family news.”
complex
“Though exhausted by the long journey, the nurse dutifully completed her rounds, checking each patient with quiet care before resting herself.”
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “dutifully” in context.
Verb
01. applaud dutifully
“The audience applauded dutifully at the end of the long speech.”
verb + adverb
02. follow dutifully
“The puppy followed dutifully behind its owner through the park.”
verb + adverb
03. nod dutifully
“The students nodded dutifully as the teacher explained the safety rules.”
verb + adverb
04. note dutifully
“He noted dutifully everything the manager said in the meeting.”
verb + adverb
05. obey dutifully
“The soldiers obeyed dutifully when the officer gave the order.”
verb + adverb
06. smile dutifully
“She smiled dutifully for the family photo even though she was tired.”
verb + adverb
07. nod dutifully in agreement
“The committee members nodded dutifully in agreement with the proposal.”
08. smile dutifully for the camera
“The children smiled dutifully for the camera during the school trip.”
09. take notes dutifully
“She took notes dutifully throughout the lecture without asking questions.”
10. visit relatives dutifully every year
“He visits his elderly relatives dutifully every year at Christmas.”
11. wait dutifully in line
“Passengers waited dutifully in line despite the long delay.”
Usage
Typically placed before the main verb or at the start of the clause to modify the whole action.
Real-World Examples
“In the early 1960s, the Brooklyn-born Mr. Wallace was dutifully fulfilling his mother’s dream for him as a pre-med student at Columbia.” “Its residents are accustomed to dutifully separating milk cartons, yogurt containers, cereal boxes and kombucha bottles from their trash to divert them from the landfill.” Etymology
From dutiful + -ly.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
ADJECTIVE
ADVERB
- 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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