The Meaning of Piety: What It Is and How To Use It

Do you know the definition of piety? This article will provide you with all of the information you need on the word piety, including its definition, etymology, usage, example sentences, and more!

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What does the word piety mean?

American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language and Collins English Dictionary state that the word piety is a noun which refers to the virtue of devotion or duty of respect given to God or the Holy Spirit. The dutiful conduct of a pious act is an obligation, but can make some people feel superiority. In a religious context piety refers to the religious observances and devout act a person can perform to be good for the loving Father. A pious action is meant to be one that is under the will of God, and that shows a rare devotion to Him. One can have the characteristic of saintly piety or dutiful respect through the devout fulfillment of religious observations, regard for a homeland, or the sacrifices of an austere life. Piety is three syllables – pi-e-ty, and the pronunciation of piety is ˈpaɪɪtɪ.

There are many languages that also contain words that mean piety. You may notice that some of these translations of piety from Word Sense look and sound similar to the word piety. These are called cognates. Cognates are often formed when two words in different languages have the same root or language of origin. 

  •  Japanese: 篤信‎
  •  Greek: ευσέβεια‎ (fem.)
  •  Portuguese: piedade‎ (fem.)
  •  Hungarian: vallásosság‎
  •  Turkish: dindarlık‎, sofuluk‎, takva‎, züht‎
  •  Dutch: vroomheid‎
  •  Latvian: pietāte‎ (fem.)
  •  Spanish: piedad‎ (fem.)
  •  Georgian: ღვთისმოსაობა‎, ღვთისმოშიშობა‎
  •  Romanian: evlavie‎, pietate‎
  •  Finnish: hurskaus‎
  •  Manx: craueeaght‎ (fem.)
  •  Czech: zbožnost‎ (fem.)
  •  Scottish Gaelic: cràbhadh‎ (masc.)
  •  Italian: pietà‎
  •  Irish: crábhadh‎ (masc.), cráifeacht‎ (fem.), beannaíocht‎ (fem.)
  •  Polish: pobożność‎ (fem.)
  •  Russian: на́божность‎, благоче́стие‎ (neut.)
  •  Catalan: pietat‎ (fem.)
  •  French: piété‎ (fem.)
  •  Bulgarian: набожност‎
  •  Arabic: اِسْلَام‎, تَقْوَى‎
  •  German: Frömmigkeit‎ (fem.)
  •  Swedish: fromhet‎ (common)

What are synonyms and antonyms of piety?

There are many different words that one can use in place of the word piety. These are considered synonyms, which are words that have the same definition as another word or phrase. Synonyms are useful to know if you are trying to avoid repeating yourself or if you are looking to expand your vocabulary. This list of synonyms for the word piety is provided by Power Thesaurus

  •  priestliness
  •  religionism
  •  belief
  •  obedience
  •  faithfulness
  •  piousness
  •  devout
  •  church
  •  awe
  •  affectation
  •  sanctitude
  •  religious zeal
  •  adherence
  •  false piety
  •  religious duty
  •  sanctimony
  •  devoutness
  •  religiosity
  •  devotion
  •  ardency
  •  adoration
  •  pietism
  •  virtue
  •  religiousness
  •  homage
  •  loyalty
  •  self-righteousness
  •  decency
  •  veneration
  •  dedication
  •  virtuousness
  •  worship
  •  honesty
  •  godliness
  •  docility
  •  devoted
  •  constancy
  •  awesomeness
  •  enthusiasm
  •  honor
  •  grace
  •  theism
  •  fervor
  •  sainthood
  •  passion
  •  prayerfulness
  •  dutifulness
  •  cant
  •  devotions
  •  goodness
  •  spiritualty
  •  sacrosanctity
  •  fealty
  •  purity
  •  spirituality
  •  respect
  •  integrity
  •  duty
  •  cultism
  •  humility
  •  righteousness
  •  faith
  •  mercy
  •  pietisticalness
  •  application
  •  zeal
  •  pity
  •  ardor
  •  innocence
  •  morality
  •  communion
  •  solemnity
  •  sanctity
  •  unction
  •  sanctimoniousness
  •  religion
  •  saintship
  •  commitment
  •  honour
  •  deference
  •  saintliness
  •  observance
  •  admiration
  •  fidelity
  •  blessedness
  •  consecration
  •  chastity
  •  devotedness
  •  adhesion
  •  devotement
  •  attachment
  •  allegiance
  •  affection
  •  holiness
  •  sanctification
  •  prayer
  •  inviolability
  •  reverence
  •  divinity
  •  sacredness

There are also many different words that have the opposite meaning as the word piety. These opposite words are considered antonyms. Antonyms are also very useful to know if you want to expand your vocabulary and knowledge of the English language. This list of antonyms for the word piety is also provided by Power Thesaurus

  •  unholiness
  •  unfaith
  •  fault
  •  incomprehension
  •  desecration
  •  perfidy
  •  tergiversation
  •  harm
  •  falsity
  •  meanness
  •  sinfulness
  •  disbelief
  •  dishonor
  •  know-nothingism
  •  disloyalty
  •  apathy
  •  sin
  •  rakishness
  •  disobedience
  •  infidelity
  •  iniquity
  •  delinquency
  •  falseness
  •  evilness
  •  noncomprehension
  •  untrustworthiness
  •  sedition
  •  agnosticism
  •  estrangement
  •  separation
  •  alienation
  •  violation
  •  sacrilege
  •  doubt
  •  malevolence
  •  unconsciousness
  •  treason
  •  inconstancy
  •  heinousness
  •  abortion
  •  depravedness
  •  badness
  •  felony
  •  sacrilegiousness
  •  monstrosity
  •  sanctimoniousness
  •  indifference
  •  intransigence
  •  ungodliness
  •  transgression
  •  treachery
  •  wrong
  •  unwarmheartedness
  •  depravity
  •  apatheism
  •  faithlessness
  •  blindness
  •  perfidiousness
  •  unrighteousness
  •  disaffection
  •  blasphemy
  •  crime
  •  error
  •  misinterpretation
  •  atheism
  •  mutiny
  •  rebelliousness
  •  vileness
  •  nonbelief
  •  unbelief
  •  curse
  •  misunderstanding
  •  stubbornness
  •  unfaithfulness
  •  irreligion
  •  irreverence
  •  trespass
  •  spiritual apathy
  •  impiousness
  •  impiety
  •  godlessness
  •  offense
  •  profaneness
  •  mistake
  •  greediness
  •  lapse
  •  ravishment
  •  dirty name
  •  profanity
  •  stupidity
  •  disrespect
  •  misdeed
  •  wickedness
  •  immorality
  •  blasphemousness
  •  ignorance
  •  sanctimony
  •  obstinacy
  •  love hate
  •  misconception

What is the origin of piety?

According to Etymonline, the word piety has been used since the Middle English piete in the mid 14th century. It was used in the late 12th century as a surname. This word comes from the Middle French and Old French piete, 12th century words. This comes from the Latin pietatem, the nominative of the Latin pietās/pietas. This comes from the Late Latin pius and the suffixes itās and etās.

How can the word piety be used in a sentence?

There are many different ways that a person can use the word piety in a sentence. Using words in a sentence is a great way to add them to your vocabulary. You can also try making flashcards or a quiz to test your knowledge on different English language words’ definitions. Try using this word of the day in a sentence today! Below are a couple of different examples of the word piety being used in a sentence to help get you started. 

The man showed religious  piety by going to church every day, paying a donation to his church, and by leading a boy’s Bible study group during the week.

She had great piety for the master painter she was learning her technique from, and respected her greatly.

Overall, the word piety means a spiritual terminology that refers to the reverence of the supreme being and observance of religious principles. This religious piety and dutiful devotion are considered filial respect and an affectionate obedience. Some social attitudes have a generous love for the pious soul, while others do not. Conceptions of piety vary from perfection to filial piety to pious activities. This earnest devotion and filial affection are admirable by the virtue of religion.

Sources:

  1. piety: meaning, origin, translation | Word Sense 
  2. Piety synonyms – 484 Words and Phrases for Piety | Power Thesaurus 
  3. Piety antonyms – 107 Opposites of Piety | Power Thesaurus 
  4. piety | Origin and meaning of piety | Online Etymology Dictionary 
  5. Piety definition and meaning | Collins English Dictionary