Word
piety
US/ˈpaɪəti/
UK/pˈaɪəti/
Definitions
01religious devotion
C1 · Advanced Uncountable noun Religion Formal
n. the quality of being very religious and showing great respect for God or a religion through your actions.
n. the quality of being devout and showing deep reverence for a deity or religious obligations.
日本語:信心※
“The monk was famous throughout the country for his quiet piety and kindness.”
“Her life was a testament to her deep piety, marked by daily prayer and a steadfast commitment to the teachings of her faith.”
Usage
Uncountable in this sense.
Antonyms
02duty to family or country
C1 · Advanced Uncountable noun Formal
n. a deep sense of duty and respect toward your parents, family, or your country.
n. dutifulness and devotion to one's parents, family, or nation; often used in the context of 'filial piety'.
“In many cultures, showing piety toward your parents is considered a vital virtue.”
“The traditional concept of filial piety requires children to care for their parents in old age as a mark of respect.”
Usage
Often appears in the fixed phrase 'filial piety'.
Teaching tip
Learners should note that while the religious sense is primary, the 'filial' sense is very common in sociological and historical texts.
03a devout act or statement
C2 · Proficiency Countable noun Formal · Literary
n. a specific act, thought, or comment that shows religious belief.
n. a specific devout or virtuous act, thought, or statement.
“The book was full of the usual pieties about hard work and faith.”
“He often repeated the same religious pieties, though his actions rarely matched his words.”
Usage
Countable in this sense; often used in the plural.
Teaching tip
In modern usage, this sense can sometimes carry a slightly negative nuance, suggesting the statements are empty or repetitive.
Synonyms
Real-World Examples
“A thousand pieties were then uttered in the wake of the Covid pandemic regarding the need to invest in global health security and future preparedness.” “For example, in adulthood, 27 states have filial piety laws that require adult children to bear financial and, in some cases, direct caregiving responsibility for aging parents.” Etymology
From Middle English piete, borrowed from Middle French pieté, from Latin pietās. See also the doublets pietà and pity. By surface analysis, pious + -ety.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Related words
Domain
- 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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QR code
englishreference.com/q/piety
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「日本語」 data: JMdict (EDRDG), CC BY-SA 4.0