devote

CEFRB2

/dɪˈvəʊt/

verb · adjective

Türkçe translations

Translating…

In plain English

  1. 01

    verb

    To give time, effort, or attention to something.

  2. 02

    verb

    Extra detail

    to consign over; to doom

Examples

  • Devote your whole attention to your duties.

  • I intend to devote a few hours a day to the study of English.

At a glance

Sits at B2 on the CEFR scale

Senses
5
Parts of speech
2
Citations
3

Also pronounced

  • /dɪˈvoʊt/
  • /ɖᵻˈvoʈ/

Deep Dive

verb

Extra meanings

  1. to execrate; to curse

  2. to give one's time, focus one's efforts, commit oneself, etc. entirely for, on, or to a certain matter; to consecrate.

adjective

Extra meaning

  1. devoted; addicted; devout

More examples

In context

  • I will devote myself to studying for the entrance exams.

  • I devoted this afternoon to repainting my study, and nothing will get in my way.

  • They devoted their lives to following Jesus Christ.

Quick test

Two questions on this entry. Nothing is scored.

Question 1 · Quick check

She decided to blank her entire life to helping homeless animals.

Practise this properly in the app, where the word comes back before you forget it.

Nearby

Origin

verb

Borrowed from Latin dēvōtus, past participle of Latin dēvoveō (“dedicate by a vow, sacrifice oneself, promise solemnly”). Doublet of devow; see also devout. Displaced native Middle English ēstful, from Old English ēstful.