Dutiful Meaning and Definition

Pronunciation

/ˈdjuːtɪfʊəl/ 🔊

Part of Speech

Adjective

Definition

A dutiful person is someone who performs their duties with diligence, loyalty, and dedication, often showing respect and obedience to authority or tradition.

Examples

• She has been a dutiful employee for over 10 years, never taking a vacation without permission.
• He is a dutiful son, always helping his parents with their daily chores.
• The company’s CEO is a dutiful leader, inspiring his team to work hard and strive for excellence.
• The poet’s dutiful words spoke directly to the hearts of her readers.

Synonyms

• Faithful
• Loyal
• Compliant

Antonyms

• Rebellious
• Disobedient
• Unfaithful

Etymology

The word ‘dutiful’ comes from the Old English word ‘dugþefu’, which is derived from the words ‘dugþe’ (duty) and ‘-ful’ (fulfilling).’

Usage Notes

The adjective ‘dutiful’ is often used to describe someone who performs their duties with a sense of obligation and responsibility. It can also imply a sense of duty and loyalty to a particular group, organization, or cause.

Cultural References

The term ‘dutiful’ is often used in literature and poetry to describe characters who are loyal and obedient to their superiors or tradition. Examples include Shakespeare’s ‘Hamlet’ and Austen’s ‘Pride and Prejudice’.

Idiomatic Expressions or Phrases

‘Dutifully following orders’ or ‘A dutiful servant’ are common idioms that convey the idea of being loyal and obedient to authority.

Related Words or Phrases

Closely related words to ‘dutiful’ include ‘faithful’, ‘loyal’, ‘compliant’, and ‘obedient’, which all convey a sense of loyalty and obedience to authority or tradition.

Collocations

‘Dutiful’ often collocates with words like ’employee’, ‘son’, ‘daughter’, ‘teacher’, and ‘leader’, to emphasize the idea of loyalty and obedience in a particular context.

Frequency of Use

The word ‘dutiful’ is relatively infrequent in modern language, but it is still used in contexts where loyalty and obedience to authority are relevant.