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
1
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
1
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 notesIn 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'.
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for adherent
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.
