devotional

English

Etymology

devotion +‎ -al

Pronunciation

• (Received Pronunciation) IPA^(key): /dɪˈvəʊʃənəl/
• (General American) IPA^(key): /dɪˈvoʊʃənəl/
• Rhymes: -əʊʃənəl

Noun

devotional (plural devotionals)

1. A brief religious service.

   To prepare for leading a devotional, select a theme appropriate to the occasion.

2. A text or piece of music or writing to be used for devotion.

   Each page of the book offers a short devotional that inspires thought and self-reflection.

Derived terms

• daily devotional

Adjective

devotional (comparative more devotional, superlative most devotional)

1. (usually religious) Of or pertaining to devotion or worship.

   She spent much time playing devotional music.

   • 1981 August 29, Michael Bronski, “Hot and Cold Film”, in Gay Community News, volume 9, number 7, page 11:

     Because of her love for Robert […] the Resistance leader, Willie undertakes dangerous missions for the anti-fascist groups. She doesn't seem however to have the slightest idea why she is doing it, it is a devotional, not a political action.

   • 2023, Robin Lloyd-Jones, Gods of the Lost Crossroads, page 161:

     The latter [mule] had what Muldoon referred to as 'devotional habits' — which is to say that, occasionally, she would go down on her knees and refuse to budge.

Derived terms

• devotionally
• indevotional
• pornographico-devotional

Translations

of or pertaining to devotion or worship

• Bulgarian: набожен (bg) (nabožen), благочестив (bg) (blagočestiv)
• Finnish: hengellinen (fi)
• French: dévotionnel (fr)
• German: andächtig (de)
• Swedish: andäktig (sv), andaktsfull (sv), compounds with andakt (sv) c