dutiful

adjective

du·​ti·​ful ˈdü-ti-fəl 

 also  ˈdyü-

1

: filled with or motivated by a sense of duty

a dutiful child

2

: proceeding from or expressive of a sense of duty

a dutiful effort

dutifully

ˈd(y)ü-ti-f(ə-)lē 

adverb

dutifulness

ˈd(y)ü-ti-fəl-nəs 

noun

Synonyms

• deferent
• deferential
• regardful
• respectful

Examples of dutiful in a Sentence

the dutiful way he took care of his sick mother

the family showed a dutiful deference to their minister when he came to dinner

Recent Examples on the Web

The weighty subject of Whitehead’s novel seems to demand a straight story—the kind that announces its respect for the material through impressively unvarnished performances, dutiful attention to period trappings, a tasteful approach to the story’s violence. —K. Austin Collins, The Atlantic, 13 Dec. 2024

As Hanks’s savvy, dutiful assistant, Adams is the paste that keeps a film full of larger-than-life performances earthbound. —Matthew Jacobs, Vulture, 6 Dec. 2024

Not many days after giving birth, Cardi B went to Paris Fashion Week with an extreme waist, thanks to her dutiful wearing of a magnified faja, or girdle. —Doreen St. Félix, The New Yorker, 19 Oct. 2024

Her eldest, Shou-hua (Liu Xie-ning), is a young, dutiful widow disinterested in remarriage. —Marc Berman, Forbes, 1 Dec. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1552, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

dutiful

adjective

du·​ti·​ful ˈd(y)üt-i-fəl 

: having or showing a sense of duty

dutifully

-f(ə-)lē 

adverb

dutifulness

-fəl-nəs 

noun