What does religiously mean?
Religiously means in accordance with religious belief or practice, as when someone follows religious observances with devotion and consistency. It can also mean with meticulous regularity or wholehearted commitment, often describing a person who repeatedly performs a task or carefully avoids a particular action. The second use is broader than religion and may carry a slightly ironic tone, emphasizing persistence, diligence, or even excessive regularity. For example, someone might describe a person as attending a service religiously or maintaining a journal religiously. The word is useful because it moves easily from literal religious devotion to the broader idea of unwavering commitment, while retaining a sense that the activity is treated with seriousness and care.
adverbIn accordance with religious belief or practice; also, with undeviating regularity or wholehearted commitment.
- In accordance with religious belief, doctrine, or practice.
- With meticulous regularity, devotion, or commitment.
"She attended the service religiously, as she had done for decades."
"The family observed the tradition religiously for generations."
"He religiously checked the figures before making the final decision."
Religiously has a double life: it can express devotion to faith or uncompromising consistency in any activity.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does religiously come from?
The adverb was formed in English from the adjective religious with the suffix -ly. Religious came through Old French from Latin religiosus, a form associated with religio, meaning religious observance or devotion. The English family includes religion, religiosity, and religiousness, all of which share this religious root.
Related word forms
How religiously is actually used
The religious sense is formal and may sound reverent or traditional. The regularity sense is often mildly ironic, especially when describing someone who follows a routine or avoids something with unusual persistence.
Easily confused with religiously
Religious is an adjective describing belief in or devotion to religion, whereas religiously is an adverb describing the way an action is performed.