C1adjectiveformalrelationshipssociety
US/ˈduː.ti.fəl/
UK/ˈdjuː.tɪ.fəl/
always doing what you should do, especially in obeying and respecting your family or your job
In context
She was a dutiful daughter who visited her parents every Sunday.
The dutiful clerk checked every form twice before handing it in.
He gave a dutiful smile, although he was bored by the speech.
Words that go with dutiful
adjective + noun
- dutiful sonAs a dutiful son, he took care of his mother.
- dutiful daughterShe remained a dutiful daughter all her life.
- dutiful wifeThe novel describes a dutiful wife who hides her feelings.
- dutiful servantThe dutiful servant followed every order.
- dutiful citizenA dutiful citizen pays taxes on time.
- dutiful smileShe gave a dutiful smile and said nothing.
adjective + preposition
- dutiful toHe was always dutiful to his elders.
Common mistakes
Incorrect:
dutiful with her parentsCorrect: dutiful to her parents