self-devotion: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowFormal/Literary
Quick answer
What does “self-devotion” mean?
The act or quality of devoting oneself entirely to a cause, person, or ideal, often involving personal sacrifice.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The act or quality of devoting oneself entirely to a cause, person, or ideal, often involving personal sacrifice.
Profound, often self-sacrificial dedication or loyalty that prioritizes the object of devotion over one's own interests or well-being.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant lexical differences. Slightly more likely to appear in formal British historical or religious discourse.
Connotations
Similar in both variants: connotations of piety, loyalty, and noble self-sacrifice.
Frequency
Rare in everyday speech in both regions. More likely found in formal writing, literature, or religious contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “self-devotion” in a Sentence
self-devotion to [NOUN PHRASE]self-devotion of [NOUN PHRASE]with/through self-devotionVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “self-devotion” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- Her self-devotion was evident in her tireless care for the parish.
American English
- The memorial honored the self-devotion of the early pioneers.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Extremely rare. Might appear in a formal, old-fashioned speech about company founders.
Academic
Rare but possible in historical, literary, or religious studies discussing character motivation or ethics.
Everyday
Virtually never used in casual conversation. Sounds formal and old-fashioned.
Technical
Not a technical term.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “self-devotion”
Neutral
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “self-devotion”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “self-devotion”
- Using it as a verb ('I self-devote'). It's a noun only.
- Confusing spelling: 'selfdevotion' (incorrect), 'self-devotion' (correct with hyphen).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is a low-frequency, formal word. In modern English, synonyms like 'dedication' or 'selflessness' are far more common.
Typically, it has a positive, noble connotation. However, it could be used critically to describe an excessive or misplaced dedication that leads to harm, e.g., 'His self-devotion to a lost cause ruined him.'
'Devotion' is the broader term for deep love, loyalty, or enthusiasm for someone/something. 'Self-devotion' specifically highlights that the dedication involves prioritizing the object over oneself, often implying personal sacrifice.
No, there is no standard verb 'to self-devote'. You would use phrases like 'devote oneself' or 'be devoted' instead.
The act or quality of devoting oneself entirely to a cause, person, or ideal, often involving personal sacrifice.
Self-devotion is usually formal/literary in register.
Self-devotion: in British English it is pronounced /ˌself dɪˈvəʊʃn/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌself dɪˈvoʊʃn/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “A life of self-devotion”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'self' and 'devotion' as two parts: you are so devoted (to a cause/person) that your *self* is fully given over to it.
Conceptual Metaphor
SELF-DEVOTION IS A VALUABLE OFFERING/SACRIFICE (one offers one's time, energy, life).
Practice
Quiz
Which sentence uses 'self-devotion' most appropriately?