religious

[ri-lij-uh s] /rɪˈlɪdʒ əs/
adjective
1.
of, pertaining to, or concerned with religion:
a religious holiday.
2.
imbued with or exhibiting religion; pious; devout; godly:
a religious man.
3.
scrupulously faithful; conscientious:
religious care.
4.
pertaining to or connected with a monastic or religious order.
5.
appropriate to religion or to sacred rites or observances.
noun, plural religious.
6.
a member of a religious order, congregation, etc.; a monk, friar, or nun.
7.
the religious, devout or religious persons:
Each year, thousands of the religious make pilgrimages to the shrine.
Origin
1175-1225; Middle English (< Old French) < Latin religiōsus, equivalent to religi(ō) religion + -ōsus -ous
Related forms
religiously, adverb
religiousness, noun
antireligious, adjective
antireligiously, adverb
nonreligious, adjective
nonreligiously, adverb
nonreligiousness, noun
overreligious, adjective
overreligiously, adverb
prereligious, adjective
pseudoreligious, adjective
pseudoreligiously, adverb
quasi-religious, adjective
quasi-religiously, adverb
ultrareligious, adjective
ultrareligiously, adverb
ultrareligiousness, noun
Can be confused
religious, sacrilegious, sacrosanct.
Synonyms
2. reverent. Religious, devout, pious indicate a spirit of reverence toward God. Religious is a general word, applying to whatever pertains to faith or worship: a religious ceremony. Devout indicates a fervent spirit, usually genuine and often independent of outward observances: a deeply devout though unorthodox church member. Pious implies constant attention to, and extreme conformity with, outward observances. It can also suggest sham or hypocrisy: a pious hypocrite. 3. devoted, unswerving, meticulous.
Antonyms
2. impious.
Examples from the web for religious
  • Almansur certainly saw himself as universal ruler with religious and secular authority.
  • Supports reducing restrictions on government funding for religious charities and schools.
  • This was, however, not his main motive for promoting religious toleration.
  • Spiritual use of cannabis discusses sacramental and religious use.
  • The haredi world revolves around study, prayer and meticulous religious observance.
  • Also he criticized religious doctrines on rationalistic grounds in the commonwealth.
  • It also held religious importance as it describes the founding of the holy city.
  • There have also been tensions over theological and religious concerns.
  • Additionally and perhaps primarily, satire was a part of political and religious debate.
  • This type of bias is often seen with reporting on new religious movements.
British Dictionary definitions for religious

religious

/rɪˈlɪdʒəs/
adjective
1.
of, relating to, or concerned with religion
2.
  1. pious; devout; godly
  2. (as collective noun; preceded by the): the religious
3.
appropriate to or in accordance with the principles of a religion
4.
scrupulous, exact, or conscientious
5.
(Christianity) of or relating to a way of life dedicated to religion by the vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience, and defined by a monastic rule
noun
6.
(Christianity) a member of an order or congregation living by such a rule; a monk, friar, or nun
Derived Forms
religiously, adverb
religiousness, noun
Word Origin and History for religious
adj.

c.1200, "devout, pious, imbued with or expressive of religious devotion," from Anglo-French religius, Old French religious (12c., Modern French religieux) and directly from Latin religiosus, from religio (see religion). Meaning "pertaining to religion" is from 1530s. Transferred sense of "scrupulous, exact" is recorded from 1590s. Related: Religiousness.