pious
gb/pˈaɪəs/ us/pˈaɪəs/
B2
English
~ 3700
mélyen vallásos, álszent
B2
1
Usage pattern:
[someone] is pious
She was known as a pious woman who attended church every day.
Mélyen vallásos nőként ismerték, aki mindennap templomba járt.
Many pious people gather at the temple during the festival.
Az ünnep idején sok mélyen vallásos ember gyűlik össze a templomnál.
He lived a pious life dedicated to helping the poor.
The pious monk spent hours each day in prayer.
They were raised in a pious household with strict moral values.
Learner examples
My grandmother is a very pious woman.
A nagymamám mélyen vallásos asszony.
He is pious and goes to church every Sunday.
Mélyen vallásos, és minden vasárnap templomba jár.
The pious man prays every morning.
They come from a pious family.
She lives a pious life.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'pious' with 'holy'. 'Holy' often refers to something sacred or divine, while 'pious' describes a person’s behavior or attitude toward religion.
Meaning
Deeply religious or devout
Collocations
pious believer
|pious family
|pious man
|pious woman
|pious life
Synonyms
devout (Implies sincere and serious religious commitment.)
Antonyms
irreligious (Describes someone who does not follow or care about religion.)
Themes
religion
|values
|character
|core_vocabulary
Definition
Loving and following your religion very much.
Showing strong devotion to a religion and its practices.
C1
2
álszent
B2
Usage pattern:
[someone] is pious
He gave a pious speech about honesty, but everyone knew he cheated on his taxes.
Álszent beszédet tartott a becsületességről, de mindenki tudta, hogy adót csalt.
She wore a pious smile while criticizing her coworkers.
Álszent mosollyal az arcán kritizálta a munkatársait.
The politician's pious remarks were met with skepticism.
His pious tone made others feel uncomfortable.
They saw through his pious display of charity.
Learner examples
He talks in a pious way, but he is not honest.
Álszenten beszél, de nem becsületes.
The man made a pious speech, but he lied later.
A férfi álszent beszédet mondott, de később hazudott.
Her pious smile was not real.
He said pious words, but he did not mean them.
They did not believe his pious story.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes think 'pious' always means sincere religious devotion. In some contexts, it can mean fake or over-the-top morality.
Meaning
Falsely or overly moralistic
Collocations
pious attitude
|pious tone
|pious words
|pious hypocrisy
Synonyms
sanctimonious (Often used to criticize someone who makes a show of being morally superior.)
Antonyms
genuine (Describes someone whose moral or religious behavior is sincere.)
Themes
character
|values
|religion
|relationships
|core_vocabulary
Definition
Acting like you are very good or religious, but not really meaning it.
Pretending to be morally good or religious in an insincere or hypocritical way.
Grammar
Dictionary form
pious
IPA
GB/pˈaɪəs/
US/pˈaɪəs/
Syllables & stress
pi - ous (2 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (pi)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: pious
Word family
Core family
piety
noun C1
piously
adverb
Negative and opposite forms
impious
adjective
impiety
noun
Expressions
pious fraud
1/pˈaɪəs fɹˈɔd/
fixed phrase
Deception for a good cause
A lie or trick done because someone thinks it will help people or do good.
Examples
- The story about the miracle was later revealed as a pious fraud meant to inspire faith.
- Some consider the legend to be a pious fraud created to encourage moral behavior.
pious hope
1/pˈaɪəs hˈoʊp/
fixed phrase
Hope for something improbable
A wish or hope for something that is very unlikely to happen.
Examples
- It’s a pious hope that the two countries will agree so quickly.
- Some think world peace is just a pious hope.