pious

Từ điển Oxford Advanced Learner 8th

pious BrE [ˈpaɪəs] NAmE [ˈpaɪəs] adjective
1. having or showing a deep respect for God and religion
Syn: ↑devout
•pious acts
Opp: ↑impious
see also ↑piety
2. (disapproving)pretending to be religious, moral or good in order to impress other people
Syn: ↑sanctimonious
•pious sentiments
•He dismissed his critics as pious do-gooders.
3. ~ hope something that you want to happen but is unlikely to be achieved
•Such reforms seem likely to remain little more than pious hopes.
Derived Word: ↑piously

Word Origin:
[pious piously] late Middle English: from Latin pius ‘dutiful, pious’ + ↑-ous.

Example Bank:
•a rather pious and condescending smile