religious

[ ri-lij-uhs ]
/ rɪˈlɪdʒ əs /

adjective

noun, plural re·li·gious.

a member of a religious order, congregation, etc.; a monk, friar, or nun.
the religious, devout or religious persons: Each year, thousands of the religious make pilgrimages to the shrine.

Origin of religious

1175–1225; Middle English (< Old French) < Latin religiōsus, equivalent to religi(ō) religion + -ōsus -ous

SYNONYMS FOR religious

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.

OTHER WORDS FROM religious

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH religious

religious sacrilegious sacrosanct

Example sentences from the Web for nonreligious

British Dictionary definitions for nonreligious (1 of 2)

nonreligious
/ (ˌnɒnrɪˈlɪdʒəs) /

adjective

not of or relating to religious beliefs and practices

British Dictionary definitions for nonreligious (2 of 2)

religious
/ (rɪˈlɪdʒəs) /

adjective

of, relating to, or concerned with religion
  1. pious; devout; godly
  2. (as collective noun; preceded by the)the religious
appropriate to or in accordance with the principles of a religion
scrupulous, exact, or conscientious
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

Christianity a member of an order or congregation living by such a rule; a monk, friar, or nun

Derived forms of religious

religiously, adverb religiousness, noun