pious
/ˈpaɪəs/
Group 20Difficulty 2/3
Definition
- (adjective)
- Devoutly religious; making a hypocritical display of virtue GRE
Example in Context
The senator's pious declarations about fiscal responsibility were undercut by his own record of supporting wasteful spending projects.
Synonyms
devoutreligiousfaithful
Etymology
Derived from Latin for 'devout', it often carries a connotation of hypocrisy.
- pius (Latin) — devout
Memory Aid
🥧Sounds like “pie us”
A PIE worshipper pretending to be HOLY, while secretly devouring the delicious dessert — so PIOUS!
Visual Association
⛪A person kneeling in prayer, but sneaking a bite of pie behind their back, showcasing hypocrisy.
Semantic Clusters
Synonym Groups
Frequently Asked Questions
What does “pious” mean on the GRE?
pious (adjective) means “Devoutly religious; making a hypocritical display of virtue”. The senator's pious declarations about fiscal responsibility were undercut by his own record of supporting wasteful spending projects.
How to remember “pious” for the GRE?
Mnemonic: “pious” sounds like “pie us”. A PIE worshipper pretending to be HOLY, while secretly devouring the delicious dessert — so PIOUS!
What are synonyms for “pious”?
Common synonyms: devout, religious, faithful.