What does religiousness mean?
Religiousness is a noun meaning the state or quality of being religious. It describes a person's commitment to religious belief, worship, practice, or the values associated with faith, and it can also refer more specifically to intensely or even excessively religious devotion. The term is broad and relatively neutral: it does not identify a particular religion or tradition. For example, a researcher might measure religiousness by considering participation in worship, the importance of faith in daily life, or adherence to religious teachings. In more critical contexts, religiousness can suggest zealotry or an overriding concern with religious matters, but that sense is usually qualified by the surrounding language. The related word religiosity is often used when the writer wishes to draw attention to conspicuous or exaggerated religious behavior.
nounThe state or quality of being religious, especially in devotion to religious belief or practice. It can also refer to an especially intense or exaggerated religious devotion.
- The state or quality of being religious.
- Intense, exaggerated, or zealous devotion to religion.
"The authors explored how religiousness shapes a community's values and daily life."
"The survey measured participants' religiousness and their attitudes toward social issues."
"His religiousness was expressed through daily prayer and regular attendance at services."
The plural is grammatically regular but rarely used.
"The study compared the religiousnesses of several communities."
The word -ness turns an adjective into a noun, turning religious into the idea of religiousness itself.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of religiousness
Religiousness is formed in English by adding the suffix -ness to religious. The adjective religious derives from religion, which comes from Latin religio, originally referring to care, devotion, or scrupulous observance. The formation religiousness is therefore a later English derivative expressing the state or quality of being religious.
How religiousness is actually used
Religiousness is generally neutral, although it can sometimes suggest conspicuous or excessive religious devotion. Religiocity is a related term that more often carries an ironic or critical tone.
Easily confused with religiousness
Religiousness is a general term for the quality of being religious, while religiosity is often used more narrowly for conspicuous or exaggerated displays of religious devotion.
Religion refers to a system of belief and worship, whereas religiousness refers to the personal quality or state of being religious.