# piety

/ˈpaɪəti/ (US) · /pˈaɪəti/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/piety
Updated: 2026-08-27

## Senses

### 1. religious devotion

noun · CEFR C1 · Formal

the quality of being very religious and showing great respect for God or a religion through your actions.

For teachers: the quality of being devout and showing deep reverence for a deity or religious obligations.

- 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.

### 2. duty to family or country

noun · CEFR C1 · Formal

a deep sense of duty and respect toward your parents, family, or your country.

For teachers: 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.

### 3. a devout act or statement

noun · CEFR C2 · Formal · Literary

a specific act, thought, or comment that shows religious belief.

For teachers: 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.

## Examples

- Her life was defined by quiet piety and service to others.
- The monk was admired by the local community for his extreme piety and his commitment to the poor.
- The painting captures a moment of intense private piety, with the subject's eyes cast downward in a gesture of profound humility and spiritual focus.

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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.