- a person, such as a monk or nun, who has dedicated himself or herself to religion by taking vows
- a devoted adherent of a religion, cause, leader, pursuit, etc
- ardently devoted to the services or worship of God, a deity, or a saint
WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026
vo•tress
(vō′tris),USA pronunciation n. [Archaic.]
WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026- Pronounsa votaress.
vo•ta•ry
(vō′tə rē),USA pronunciation n., pl. -ries, adj.
n. Also, vo′ta•rist.
adj.
n. Also, vo′ta•rist.
- a person who is bound by solemn religious vows, as a monk or a nun.
- an adherent of a religion or cult;
a worshiper of a particular deity or sacred personage. - a person who is devoted or addicted to some subject or pursuit:a votary of jazz.
- a devoted follower or admirer.
adj.
- consecrated by a vow.
- of or pertaining to a vow.
- Latin vōt(um) a vow + -ary
- 1540–50
- 3. buff, fan, admirer, devotee.
Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::
votary /ˈvəʊtərɪ/ n ( pl -ries)also: votarist