Religious Meaning
/ɹɪˈlɪd͡ʒ.əs/Definition, CEFR level A2, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
Listen pronunciation
Definition
adjConcerning religion.
adjCommitted to the practice or adherence of religion.
Sentence Examples
Full religious freedom is assured to all people.
The cathedral had a religious painting on its ceiling.
The vase is decorated with religious symbols.
CEFR Practice Quiz
The family attended church every Sunday and followed strict ____ traditions.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The school held a ____ ceremony at the start of each term to mark the beginning of the academic year.
Word Origin & History
From Middle English religiouse, religious, religius, religeous, from Anglo-Norman religieus, religius, from Old French religious, religieux, and their source, Latin religiōsus (“religious, superstitious, conscientious”), from religiō. Doublet of religieux.
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"The Senators and Representatives before mentioned, and the members of the several State Legislatures, and all executive and judicial Officers, both of the United States and of the several States, shall be bound by Oath or Affirmation, to support this Constitution; but no religious Test shall ever be required as a Qualification to any Office or public Trust under the United States."
— 1787 September 17, Constitutional Convention, Constitution of the United States, Philadelphia, page 4:
"Despite personal schisms and differences in spiritual experience, there is a very coherent theology of Snape shared between the wives. To examine this manifestation of religious fandom, I will first discuss the canon scepticism and anti-Rowling sentiment that helps to contextualise the wider belief in Snape as a character who extends beyond book and film."
— 2014 March 3, Zoe Alderton, “‘Snapewives’ and ‘Snapeism’: A Fiction-Based Religion within the Harry Potter Fandom”, in Religions, volume 5, number 1, MDPI, →DOI, archived from the original on 20 Dec 2014, pages 219–257:
"All U.S. states allow exemptions for children with medical conditions that prevent them from getting certain vaccines. Most also allow exemptions for religious or other nonmedical reasons."
— 2025 February 14, Collin Binkley, “Trump calls for withholding federal money from schools and colleges that require COVID vaccines”, in Associated Press:
"The religious vows are either simple or solemn. Vows are solemn according to the more common opinion, not, for instance, because of any solemnity attending the making of them, but because of the will of the Church."
— 1878, James Andrew Corcoran, Patrick John Ryan, Edmond Francis Prendergast, The American Catholic Quarterly Review, page 236:
"The religious priest lives his priesthood vocation within the religious congregation to which he belongs. He may serve within a parish or another institution, such as a school or a hospital. Unlike the diocesan priest, the religious priest develops his identity from the charism of the religious order and finds his community with the members of that order."
— 2001, John P. Mack, Priests: An Inside Look, Saint Mary's Press, →ISBN, page 28:
Explore More A2 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
The family attended church every Sunday and followed strict ____ traditions.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The school held a ____ ceremony at the start of each term to mark the beginning of the academic year.