Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1) - Cite This Source - Share This

American Heritage Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

re·li·gious       (rĭ-lĭj'əs)  Pronunciation Key  adj.   Having or showing belief in and reverence for God or a deity. Of, concerned with, or teaching religion: a religious text. Extremely scrupulous or conscientious: religious devotion to duty. n.   pl. religious A member of a monastic order, especially a nun or monk. [Middle English, from Old French, from Latin religiōsus, from religiō, religion; see religion.] re·li'gious·ly adv., re·li'gious·ness n. Synonyms: These adjectives mean having or showing a belief in and veneration for God or a divine power, especially as it is reflected in the practice of religion. Religious implies adherence to religion in both belief and practice: The cathedral at Chartres is an expression of the religious fervor of the Middle Ages. Devout connotes ardent faith and sincere devotion: Devout Muslims observe Ramadan punctiliously. Pious stresses dutiful, reverential discharge of religious duties: a pious woman who attends Mass every morning.

WordNet - Cite This Source - Share This

religious
adjective
1.	concerned with sacred matters or religion or the church; "religious texts"; "a member of a religious order"; "lords temporal and spiritual"; "spiritual leaders"; "spiritual songs"
2.	having or showing belief in and reverence for a deity; "a religious man"; "religious attitude" [ant: irreligious]
3.	of or relating to clergy bound by monastic vows; "the religious or regular clergy conducts the service" [ant: secular]
4.	extremely scrupulous and conscientious; "religious in observing the rules of health"
noun
1.	a member of a religious order who is bound by vows of poverty and chastity and obedience

Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

Religious

Re*li"gious\ (r?-l?j"?s), a. [OF. religius, religious, F. religieux, from L. religiosus. See Religion.]

1. Of or pertaining to religion; concerned with religion; teaching, or setting forth, religion; set apart to religion; as, a religious society; a religious sect; a religious place; religious subjects, books, teachers, houses, wars.

Our law forbids at their religious rites My presence. --Milton.

2. Possessing, or conforming to, religion; pious; godly; as, a religious man, life, behavior, etc.

Men whose lives Religious titled them the sons of God. --Mlton

3. Scrupulously faithful or exact; strict.

Thus, Indianlike, Religious in my error, I adore The sun, that looks upon his worshiper. --Shak.

4. Belonging to a religious order; bound by vows.

One of them is religious. --Chaucer.

Syn: Pious; godly; holy; devout; devotional; conscientious; strict; rogod; exact.

Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

Religious

Re*li"gious\, n. A person bound by monastic vows, or sequestered from secular concern, and devoted to a life of piety and religion; a monk or friar; a nun. --Addison.