pi·ous 
/ˈpajəs/ adjective
/ˈpajəs/ adjective 1 [more pious; most pious] : deeply religious : devoted to a particular religion
▪ pious [=devout] churchgoing people ▪ They lived a quiet, pious life. 2 disapproving : falsely appearing to be good or moral
▪ I'm tired of hearing politicians making pious pronouncements about their devotion to the people.
▪ pious [=devout] churchgoing people ▪ They lived a quiet, pious life.
▪ I'm tired of hearing politicians making pious pronouncements about their devotion to the people.
pious hope/wish
: something that is hoped for but will probably not happen
▪ His speech contained no practical solutions, just the pious hope that the war would end soon.
▪ His speech contained no practical solutions, just the pious hope that the war would end soon.
— pi·ous·ly adverb
