piety

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "piety" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used in a religious or moral sense, to refer to a behavior that reflects a devotion to faith, morality, and respect for others. Example sentence: Her piety was evident in her daily deeds, as she made sure to help her neighbour whenever they needed it.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

In those days, sex and speed could not sell a Volvo, but righteous piety could.

The Guardian

"Co-operating with the expansion of the Grand Mosque is consistent with sharia principles," he said, "because building mosques is regarded as one of the greatest acts of piety and the best of all mosques is the Grand Mosque".

The Guardian - Arts

A former heavy-metal fan from California born in 1978, Gadahn joined al-Qaida around the turn of the century after physically attacking an Orange County imam for insufficient piety.

The Guardian

But at least the establishment thought that the ethos of the age was best represented by an extravagant celebration of prayer and piety.

The Guardian - Opinion

I try to be indifferent, but occasionally these sort of comments make me angry, because for all their talk of piety, who are they to judge me on my faith?

The Guardian - Opinion

The Gadarene rush of the Watergate-era students into media and the law was prefigured in Doonesbury and it can claim to have predicted Jimmy Carter's sad descent from piety to sanctimony, the hollowness of Reagan's feel-good nostrums, the short electoral life of George Bush's desert victories, and the indecisive disappointments of Bill Clinton.

The Guardian

"Mum, if I can't make it home on time for new year's eve, please don't take me to court," said another user, referring to legislation passed this year that allows parents to sue their children for lack of filial piety.

The Guardian

This mix of piety and entrepreneurship has produced a class of so called "Islamic Calvinists" who have popularised such things as Turkish jeans and furniture across the world.

The Economist

Not his happily middle-class family life, though Liberal-Labour politics had filtered through from his father, and non-conformist piety (altered by him to humanism) from his mother.

The Economist

And southerners are unusually observant: Utah is the only non-southern state where church attendance is as high as in Dixie.When piety is grafted on to a small-government political philosophy 57% of southerners think the government does "too much" and only 37% think it should do more, according to Gallup it explains much of why the South remains different.

The Economist

C.S. Lewis's children's books, to which Ms Rowling's are often compared, are spoiled by creeping piety.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "piety" to specifically denote reverence and devotion to religious beliefs or moral principles. Ensure the context clearly indicates the object of this devotion, whether it be a deity, a set of principles, or a revered figure.

Common error

Avoid equating "piety" with unquestioning acceptance or extreme behaviors. True "piety" involves sincere devotion and respect, not necessarily rigid adherence to dogma or exclusion of others.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "piety" is as a noun. Ludwig AI confirms this, indicating that "piety" functions as a noun representing reverence and devotion, either to God, family, or principles. Examples show it describing a quality or act.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Formal & Business

25%

Science

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "piety" functions as a noun denoting reverence and devotion to God, family, or principles. Ludwig AI confirms the word is grammatically correct and usable in written English. Its usage spans across various contexts, being most frequent in news and media, and formal writing, and its communicative purpose revolves around expressing deep religious devotion or moral uprightness. While often associated with religious contexts, its neutral register allows for versatile application. It is important to use "piety" to specifically denote reverence and devotion to religious beliefs or moral principles, and that true "piety" involves sincere devotion and respect, not necessarily rigid adherence to dogma or exclusion of others.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

devoutness

This alternative emphasizes the sincere and deep commitment to religious faith and practice.

religiousness

This term focuses on adherence to religious beliefs and practices, sometimes more broadly than "piety".

godliness

This alternative highlights the quality of resembling God in character and conduct.

reverence

This emphasizes deep respect and awe, often directed towards the divine or sacred.

sanctity

This term stresses the holiness and sacredness associated with religious devotion.

faithfulness

This highlights the steadfast adherence to religious principles and commitments.

spiritual devotion

This phrase underscores the dedication to spiritual practices and connection with the divine.

righteousness

This emphasizes moral uprightness and conformity to divine law.

holiness

This term focuses on the state of being sacred or consecrated to God.

religious observance

This refers to the practice of religious rituals and customs.

FAQs

How can I use "piety" in a sentence?

You can use "piety" to describe someone's devotion to their religion, such as "Her "piety" led her to volunteer at the church every week." It can also describe a general sense of reverence.

What are some synonyms for "piety"?

Synonyms for "piety" include "devoutness", "religiousness", "godliness", and "reverence". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "piety" or "religiosity"?

"Piety" typically implies sincere devotion and respect, while "religiosity" can sometimes suggest a more superficial or outward display of religious belief. "Piety" generally carries a more positive connotation.

What's the difference between "piety" and "filial piety"?

"Piety" generally refers to devotion to God or religious principles. "Filial "piety"", on the other hand, refers specifically to the respect and obedience shown to one's parents and ancestors, particularly in Confucianism.