What is devote? Pronunciation and usage in English

devote means . Learn how to pronounce and use devote through vivid examples and easy-to-understand exercises.

Definition & pronunciation of devote

devoteverb

/dɪˈvəʊt/
Definition & pronunciation of devote

Okay, let's break down how to pronounce "devote" in English. Here's a breakdown with phonetic symbols and a more descriptive explanation:

Phonetic Transcription (IPA - International Phonetic Alphabet):

/dɪˈvoʊt/

Breakdown:

  • di-: Pronounced like "dee" – as in "deep."
  • -ˈvoʊt: This is the key part.
    • ˈvoʊ: This is the stressed syllable. It’s pronounced like “voh.” The apostrophe (') indicates a stress mark, meaning this syllable is emphasized. It sounds like the "o" in "boat" or "toe."
    • -t: A short, crisp “t” sound – as in "tap."

Putting it together:

It's pronounced roughly like: dee-VOHT

Tips for Sounding Right:

  • Stress: Make sure you emphasize the "voh" syllable. This is the most common mistake people make.
  • "o" sound: The "o" in "voh" should be a clear, open "o" sound, similar to the "o" in “boat.”
  • Short 't': Don’t over-emphasize the "t" at the end – it’s a quick, light sound.

Resources for Hearing It:

  • Forvo: https://forvo.com/word/devote/ – You can hear native speakers pronounce it.
  • Google Translate: Type "devote" into Google Translate and click the speaker icon.

Would you like me to:

  • Repeat the pronunciation slowly?
  • Give you a few example sentences where you can practice saying "devote"?

Usage and examples with the word devote in English

Let's break down how to use the word "devote" effectively in English. It's a powerful word with a specific nuance.

1. Core Meaning: To dedicate wholeheartedly

At its heart, "devote" means to dedicate yourself, your time, energy, or resources to something. It implies a strong commitment and a willingness to prioritize that thing above others. It's more intense than simply "to spend" or "to use."

2. Common Usages & Examples:

  • To dedicate time/energy:

    • “She devotes three hours a day to learning photography.” (Meaning: She makes a conscious effort to spend that much time on it.)
    • “He devotes his weekends to volunteering at the animal shelter.” (Meaning: He’s committed to giving his weekends to this activity.)
    • “The company devotes a significant portion of its budget to research and development.” (Meaning: They’re prioritizing these areas.)

  • To dedicate oneself (to a cause, person, or activity):

    • “Many charities devote themselves to helping the homeless.” (Meaning: They are completely committed to that cause.)
    • “She devoted her life to her children.” (This is a very strong statement – she gave her whole life and focus to raising them.)
    • “He devoted himself to his studies, sacrificing social activities to achieve his goals.”

  • To dedicate something (to a purpose):

    • “They devoted the new wing of the hospital to pediatric care.” (The wing was specifically set aside for that purpose.)
    • “The composer devoted the entire symphony to expressing his grief.” (The symphony’s theme and content were centered around grief.)

3. Key Considerations & Nuances:

  • Intensity: “Devote” suggests a higher level of commitment than words like “spend,” “use,” or “focus.” It implies deep passion and a significant investment.

  • Often Implies Sacrifice: Because it involves prioritizing something, "devote" often suggests a willingness to sacrifice other things.

  • Can Be Used with Abstract Concepts: It doesn't just apply to tangible things. You can devote yourself to ideas, values, or even emotions.

4. Synonyms (that might fit the context better depending on the shade of meaning you want):

  • Dedicate: (Often the closest synonym – good for general usage)
  • Commit: (Focuses on a promise or obligation)
  • Prioritize: (Emphasizes making something more important)
  • Immerse oneself in: (Suggests deeper involvement)
  • Consecrate: (Often used for religious contexts, meaning to dedicate formally)

5. Examples Showing the Difference between "Devote" and Similar Words:

  • Incorrect: “He devotes a lot of time to video games.” (Okay, but "devotes" is stronger. It implies a more serious, intentional commitment.)

  • Better: “He devotes significant time to mastering video game strategy.” (Now it conveys a deeper level of focus.)

  • Incorrect: “She devoted her life to her career.” (Could work, but might sound a bit dramatic. Consider "dedicated" or "committed" instead)

  • Better: “She devoted her life to advancing the field of medicine.” (More emphasis on her purpose.)

To help me give you even more tailored advice, could you tell me:

  • What are you trying to say or write? (Can you give me a sentence or a short paragraph where you’re considering using "devote"?)
  • What is the specific context? (e.g., a personal essay, a business report, a creative story?)

Synonyms for the word devote

Practice with vocabulary devote

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. Many volunteers ________ their time and energy to helping the local community.
  2. The management decided to ________ resources wisely to ensure the project's success.
  3. She decided to ________ her entire career to medical research, hoping to make a significant impact on public health.
  4. The team plans to ________ heavily on market analysis for their new product launch strategy.

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer (There may be multiple correct answers per question)

  1. The startup founder had to ________ himself completely to the project, often working long hours to meet deadlines. A) dedicate B) commit C) allocate D) devote E) assign

  2. To achieve breakthrough results, scientists often need to ________ significant resources to experimental phases. A) invest B) apply C) dedicate D) restrict E) devote

  3. Our organization aims to ________ its efforts towards achieving sustainable development goals in the region. A) direct B) diffuse C) concentrate D) scatter E) devote

  4. Despite the setbacks, the research team continued to ________ in finding a solution to the complex problem. A) persevere B) waver C) persist D) concede E) abandon

  5. The new marketing strategy will ________ improving brand awareness among a younger demographic. A) target B) disregard C) prioritize D) neglect E) ignore

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. Her focus throughout her professional life was entirely on human rights advocacy. (Use a form of "devote") Rewrite:

  2. He has shown immense commitment and effort in his academic pursuits. (Use a form of "devote") Rewrite:

  3. The company set aside a large portion of its annual budget for employee training and development programs. (Do NOT use "devote") Rewrite:

Answer:

Exercise 1:

  1. devote
  2. allocate
  3. devote
  4. focus

Exercise 2:

  1. A) dedicate, B) commit, D) devote
  2. A) invest, C) dedicate, E) devote
  3. A) direct, C) concentrate, E) devote
  4. A) persevere, C) persist
  5. A) target, C) prioritize

Exercise 3:

  1. She chose to devote her professional life entirely to human rights advocacy.
  2. He has shown immense devotion and effort in his academic pursuits.
  3. The company earmarked a large portion of its annual budget for employee training and development programs.

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