noun

adherent

ad-HEER-uhnt

Adherent (noun) means a person who supports a particular leader, party, religion or set of ideas. Example: “The movement claims several million adherents worldwide.”

noun

A person who supports a particular leader, party, religion or set of ideas.

"The movement claims several million adherents worldwide."

"Even his fiercest adherents admitted the speech had gone badly."

adjective

technical Sticking fast to a surface or to another part.

"The bandage was adherent to the wound and had to be soaked off."

How to use adherent

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishSomeone who firmly supports a belief, group or leader.

When to use it

Formal. Common in religious, political and academic writing.

Memory tip

Both meanings come from one image: sticking. People stick to a cause; tissue sticks to a surface.

Trace the full origin ↓

Easily confused with

adherent / adherence adherent / advocate adherent / inherent

Common pairings

adherents of the faith loyal adherent millions of adherents adherent cells

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The movement claims several million _____ worldwide.

Etymology

From Latin adhaerentem, present participle of adhaerere 'to stick to', from ad- 'to' + haerere 'to stick'.

Origin: Latin

Synonyms

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follower supporter disciple devotee believer clinging attached sticking

Antonyms

opponent critic detractor

Related words

leader Christian fan critical crisis enemy opposition assistant

Rhymes for adherent

coherent inherent different incoherent belligerent indifferent

See all rhymes for adherent →

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between an adherent and a follower?

They are close, but adherent stresses commitment to a doctrine, faith or cause, while follower can be much looser — including someone who merely reads your posts. You would say adherents of Buddhism, but followers on Instagram.

Is it adherent or adherence?

Adherent is the person who sticks to something, or the adjective describing something that sticks. Adherence is the abstract noun for the act of sticking to a rule, treatment or belief: patient adherence to the medication was poor.

Can adherent be used about objects?

Yes, mainly in medical and technical writing, where it means physically stuck to something — adherent scar tissue, adherent cells in a culture dish.

What is the meaning of adherent?

"adherent" (noun) means a person who supports a particular leader, party, religion or set of ideas.

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