Word
pious
Phoneticspi·ous, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈpaɪəs/
UK/pˈaɪəs/
Definitions
01devout and religious
C1 · Advanced Religion Formal
adj. deeply religious and showing great respect for a god or religion.
adj. exhibiting deep religious devotion and reverence for a deity or faith.
“The pious monk spent most of his day in quiet prayer and study.”
“The community respected him as a pious man who dedicated his life to charitable works and religious observance.”
Antonyms
02sanctimonious or self-righteous
C2 · Proficiency Formal
adj. acting as if you are more moral or better than other people.
adj. making a hypocritical show of religious or moral superiority; sanctimonious.
“I am tired of his pious lectures about how I should live my life.”
“Her pious attitude toward the mistakes of others made it difficult for her colleagues to work with her effectively.”
Usage
Often used with a negative or critical tone to describe someone's behavior.
Teaching tip
In modern secular contexts, this sense is more common than the literal religious one and is almost always an insult.
Synonyms
Etymology
Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *pewH- Proto-Italic *pwījosder. Latin piusbor. English pious Borrowed from Latin pīus (“pious, dutiful, blessed, kind, devout”), from Proto-Indo-European *pewH- (“pure”). Cognate with Old English fǣle (“faithful, trusty, good; dear, beloved”). More at feal.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- 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
- Frequent
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
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