pious
pi|ous /p'aɪəs/
1 [ADJ]
Someone who is pious is very religious and moral.
He was brought up by pious female relatives.
...pious acts of charity.
● piously [ADV] ADV with v
Conti kneeled and crossed himself piously.
2 [ADJ] ADJ n
If you describe someone's words as pious, you think that their words are full of good intentions but do not lead to anything useful being done.
What we need is not manifestos of pious intentions, but real action.
● piously [ADV] ADV with v
The groups at the conference spoke piously of their fondness for democracy.
1 [ADJ]
Someone who is pious is very religious and moral.
He was brought up by pious female relatives.
...pious acts of charity.
● piously [ADV] ADV with v
Conti kneeled and crossed himself piously.
2 [ADJ] ADJ n
If you describe someone's words as pious, you think that their words are full of good intentions but do not lead to anything useful being done.
What we need is not manifestos of pious intentions, but real action.
● piously [ADV] ADV with v
The groups at the conference spoke piously of their fondness for democracy.