Piety means deep respect and devotion toward God, or more broadly, showing reverence toward parents, country, or anything deserving honor. A pious person takes their faith seriously, praying regularly, attending religious services, and trying to live according to their beliefs.

In ancient Rome, a pious son honored his parents and ancestors. In medieval Europe, piety meant devotion to God through prayer, charity, and moral living.

Today, piety usually refers to religious devotion. Someone might admire their grandmother's piety when she never misses church and reads scripture daily. A pious Muslim observes the five daily prayers. A pious Jewish family carefully follows dietary laws and Sabbath traditions.

Be careful, though: sometimes people use pious critically, as in a “pious fraud” or acting “holier-than-thou.” This suggests someone makes a show of being religious without truly living by those values.