Devotion is deep love, loyalty, or dedication to a person, activity, or belief. It often includes a willingness to sacrifice time, comfort, or other desires.
From Old French "devocion" and Latin "devotio" meaning "a vow" or "dedication," from "devovēre" (to vow, dedicate). It originally referred to religious vows before broadening to strong commitment in general.
Devotion started as a word for promising yourself to a god; now we use it for anything you give yourself to fully. When someone is devoted, they’re not just interested—they’ve quietly made a personal vow.
'Devotion' has often been gendered in discourse, with women's devotion framed in terms of self-sacrifice in domestic, religious, or caregiving roles. Men's devotion has more often been associated with careers, causes, or abstract ideals.
Use 'devotion' for any gender and be explicit about the domain (e.g., 'devotion to research' or 'devotion to caregiving') to avoid reinforcing narrow gendered expectations.
["commitment","dedication"]
Women's devotion in science, activism, and public life has frequently been erased or reframed as 'supporting' roles despite central contributions.
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