Dave's ESL Cafe's Student Discussion Forums

[lin010369]

I search devote and dedicate these two words in my dictionary
they seem to have the same meaning
so I want to know the differences between them
thx...

[pugachevV]

Devote= give time or resources to a person or activity.
Dedicate = devote to a subject, task, or person. It also has the meaning of addressing (a book etc.) to a person, as a means of showing respect or affection. It also means, to ceremonially assign a building (like a church) to a deity or saint.

So, to dedicate is somewhat more intensive and formal than to devote.

[redset]

Just to add to the 'formal' idea, devotion is often used to talk about things you care deeply about. You can be devoted to your loved ones, or maybe you devote a lot of time to helping people. Dedication can be used to talk about people who work hard or are very responsible, so you might dedicate time to getting a project completed. They do have very similar meanings in this sense, but there's a subtle emotional difference you can use.