Devote vs. Dedicate — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Fiza Rafique — Updated on November 1, 2023
Devote means to give time or resources to a cause or activity. Dedicate often implies a ceremonial commitment to a purpose.
Difference Between Devote and Dedicate
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Devote implies giving one’s time, efforts, or self wholeheartedly to an activity, cause, or person. Dedicate typically suggests a formal or ceremonious allotment of something to a specific purpose or person. When one devotes, it is often a personal, sometimes emotional commitment. Dedication can be seen as a more public declaration, often involving a ritual or official action.
To devote oneself is to commit with passion or intensity, often over a period of time. To dedicate something is to set it aside or to declare that it serves a certain goal, often in honor of or in connection to a larger idea or person. Devotion is often related to a sustained effort or loyalty, whereas dedication can be a one-time act or announcement.
Devote often conveys a sense of personal involvement and consistent attention. Dedicate, on the other hand, may not imply ongoing engagement, but rather a moment of assigning value or purpose. One may devote their life to service, showing continuous dedication; a building, however, can be dedicated once and stands as a symbol of that moment.
In terms of relationships or personal pursuits, 'devote' tends to be used more frequently. For example, you can devote yourself to your family. 'Dedicate' might be used when referring to a book being dedicated to a loved one, which is often a one-off gesture.
Comparison Chart
Focus
Personal involvement and effort
Formal or ceremonial allocation
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Time Frame
Ongoing, long-term commitment
Can be a single act or event
Intensity
Implies passion or intense commitment
May not imply ongoing effort
Usage
Common in personal contexts
Common in public or formal contexts
Example
Devoting time to study
Dedicating a park to a community leader
Compare with Definitions
Devote
To give all or a large part of one's time or resources to (a person, activity, or cause).
She devoted her life to science.
Dedicate
To open (a building, for example) formally to the public.
They dedicated the new library with a ceremony.
Devote
To be loyal or dedicated in thought or action.
He devoted his morning to reading.
Dedicate
To devote wholly and earnestly, as to some person or purpose.
She dedicated every spare moment to the project.
Devote
To set apart or dedicate by a solemn or formal act.
The poet devoted each verse to a different muse.
Dedicate
To commit (oneself) to a particular course of thought or action.
She dedicated herself to teaching.
Devote
Give all or most of one's time or resources to (a person or activity)
She devoted herself to fundraising
I wanted to devote more time to my family
Dedicate
Devote (time or effort) to a particular task or purpose
Joan has dedicated her life to animals
Devote
Invoke or pronounce a curse upon
The hostile army was devoted with dire execrations to the gods of war
Dedicate
To set apart for a deity or for religious purposes; consecrate.
Devote
To give or apply (one's time, attention, or self, for example) entirely to a particular activity, pursuit, cause, or person.
Dedicate
To set apart for a special use
Dedicated their money to scientific research.
Devote
To set apart for a specific purpose or use
Land devoted to mining.
Dedicate
To commit (oneself) to a particular course of thought or action
Dedicated ourselves to starting our own business.
Devote
To give one's time, focus one's efforts, commit oneself, etc. entirely for, on, or to a certain matter
They devoted their lives to following Jesus Christ.
I devoted this afternoon to repainting my study, and nothing will get in my way.
Dedicate
To address or inscribe (a literary work, for example) to another as a mark of respect or affection.
Devote
To consign over; to doom
To devote one to destruction
The city was devoted to the flames.
Dedicate
To open (a building, for example) to public use.
Devote
To execrate; to curse
Dedicate
To show to the public for the first time
Dedicate a monument.
Devote
(obsolete) devoted; addicted; devout
Dedicate
(transitive) To set apart for a deity or for religious purposes; consecrate.
Devote
To appropriate by vow; to set apart or dedicate by a solemn act; to consecrate; also, to consign over; to doom; to evil; to devote one to destruction; the city was devoted to the flames.
No devoted thing that a man shall devote unto the Lord . . . shall be sold or redeemed.
Dedicate
(transitive) To set apart for a special use
Dedicated their money to scientific research.
Devote
To execrate; to curse.
Dedicate
(transitive) To commit (oneself) to a particular course of thought or action
Dedicated ourselves to starting our own business.
Devote
To give up wholly; to addict; to direct the attention of wholly or compound; to attach; - often with a reflexive pronoun; as, to devote one's self to science, to one's friends, to piety, etc.
Thy servant who is devoted to thy fear.
They devoted themselves unto all wickedness.
A leafless and simple branch . . . devoted to the purpose of climbing.
Dedicate
(transitive) To address or inscribe (a literary work, for example) to another as a mark of respect or affection.
Devote
Devoted; addicted; devout.
Dedicate
(transitive) To open (a building, for example) to public use.
Devote
A devotee.
Dedicate
(transitive) To show to the public for the first time
Dedicate a monument.
Devote
Give entirely to a specific person, activity, or cause;
She committed herself to the work of God
Give one's talents to a good cause
Consecrate your life to the church
Dedicate
(obsolete) Dedicated; set apart; devoted; consecrated.
Devote
Dedicate;
Give thought to
Give priority to
Pay attention to
Dedicate
One who dedicates themself, or who is dedicated, to the service of some leader, religion, etc.
Devote
Set aside or apart for a specific purpose or use;
This land was devoted to mining
Dedicate
Dedicated; set apart; devoted; consecrated.
Devote
To focus on or apply oneself to a particular area or subject.
The committee devoted its attention to the issue.
Dedicate
To set apart and consecrate, as to a divinity, or for sacred uses; to devote formally and solemnly; as, to dedicate vessels, treasures, a temple, or a church, to a religious use.
Vessels of silver, and vessels of gold, . . . which also king David did dedicate unto the Lord.
We have come to dedicate a portion of that field as a final resting place for those who here gave their lives that that nation might live. . . . But in a larger sense we can not dedicate, we can not consecrate, we can not hallow this ground.
Devote
To bind oneself to an activity or pursuit.
They devoted themselves to volunteer work.
Dedicate
To devote, set apart, or give up, as one's self, to a duty or service.
The profession of a soldier, to which he had dedicated himself.
Dedicate
To inscribe or address, as to a patron.
He complied ten elegant books, and dedicated them to the Lord Burghley.
Dedicate
Give entirely to a specific person, activity, or cause;
She committed herself to the work of God
Give one's talents to a good cause
Consecrate your life to the church
Dedicate
Open to public use, as of a highway, park, or building;
The Beauty Queen spends her time dedicating parks and nursing homes
Dedicate
Inscribe or address by way of compliment;
She dedicated her book to her parents
Dedicate
Set apart to sacred uses with solemn rites, of a church
Dedicate
To set apart and consecrate to a deity or to a sacred purpose.
The ancient Romans dedicated a temple.
Common Curiosities
Does 'devote' imply a choice?
Yes, to devote is often a personal choice and commitment.
Can you 'dedicate' something without ongoing effort?
Yes, 'dedicate' can be a one-time act, like dedicating a building.
Can 'devote' be used interchangeably with 'dedicate'?
They are similar but not always interchangeable due to nuances in meaning.
Is 'dedicate' formal?
'Dedicate' often has a formal connotation, especially in ceremonies.
Is 'dedication' always public?
Often, but not necessarily; one can dedicate work privately.
Can 'devote' refer to a short-term commitment?
It can, but it usually implies a significant or long-term commitment.
Do 'devote' and 'dedicate' come from the same root?
No, they come from different Latin roots with different original meanings.
Is 'devote' more emotional than 'dedicate'?
Yes, 'devote' often carries a more personal, emotional commitment.
Can an object be 'devoted'?
Typically, 'devote' refers to actions by living beings, not objects.
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Written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
Edited by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
