Added 2 October 2026
pious
/ˈpaɪəs/ adjective
In Latin: pius Wiktionary
adjective Definition from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA). Pronunciation from Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org. More about pious at Wordnik → Where our words come from →
- Of or pertaining to piety, exhibiting piety, devout, god-fearing.
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Relating to religion or religious works.
A pious cause.
- Insisting on or making a show of one's own virtue, especially in comparison to others; sanctimonious, condescending, judgmental.
Origin
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.
From Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org (CC BY-SA)