Pious Definition & Meaning | Britannica Dictionary (original) (raw)

Britannica Dictionary definition of PIOUS

1

[more pious; most pious]

:

deeply religious

:

devoted to a particular religion

• pious [=_devout_] churchgoing people
• They lived a quiet, pious life.

2

disapproving

:

falsely appearing to be good or moral

• I'm tired of hearing politicians making pious pronouncements about their devotion to the people.

pious hope/wish

:

something that is hoped for but will probably not happen

• His speech contained no practical solutions, just the pious hope that the war would end soon.