faithful
FAYTH-fl
Faithful (adjective) means Loyal and devoted to a person, cause, or duty. Example: “Years later, she was still a faithful supporter of the local football club.”
adjective
1
Loyal and devoted to a person, cause, or duty.
"Years later, she was still a faithful supporter of the local football club."
"He remained a faithful friend even during her difficult divorce."
"The dog was faithful to its owner for fifteen years."
2
Not having sexual or romantic relationships outside of one's relationship or marriage.
"He has always been faithful to his wife, and she trusts him completely."
"It is hard to stay faithful when you spend months apart, but they managed."
"They promised to stay faithful to each other."
3
Accurate and true to the original; not distorted.
"The film is a faithful adaptation of the novel, with hardly any changes."
"Her portrait was a faithful likeness, right down to the freckles."
"The translation is a faithful rendering of the original poem."
noun
1
The devoted members or followers of a religion or cause (usually "the faithful").
"The preacher thanked the faithful for coming out in such awful weather."
"Pilgrims and the faithful alike queued to enter the old cathedral."
"The faithful gathered at dawn for the service."
How to use faithful
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishStaying loyal and true — to a person, a relationship, or an original version of something.
Common pairings
faithful to
stay faithful
faithful reproduction
the faithful
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Word forms
- Plural
- faithfuls
- Comparative
- more faithful
- Superlative
- most faithful
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Years later, she was still a _____ supporter of the local football club.
Etymology
From Middle English feithful, built from faith plus the suffix -ful ("full of").
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for faithful
See all rhymes for faithful →Frequently asked questions
What does “faithful” mean?
The word “faithful” means loyal and devoted to a person, cause, or duty. In plain terms, staying loyal and true — to a person, a relationship, or an original version of something.
How do you pronounce “faithful”?
“Faithful” is pronounced FAYTH-fl (/ˈfeɪθ.fl̩/ in IPA).
How do you use “faithful” in a sentence?
Here is “faithful” used in a sentence: “He remained a faithful friend even during her difficult divorce.”
What part of speech is “faithful”?
Depending on how it is used, “faithful” can be an adjective and a noun.
Where does the word “faithful” come from?
The word “faithful” comes from Middle English. From Middle English feithful, built from faith plus the suffix -ful ("full of").
Is “faithful” a common word?
“Faithful” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “faithful” have?
“Faithful” has 4 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: loyal and devoted to a person, cause, or duty.
What is the difference between faithful and loyal?
Faithful means being loyal and devoted to a person, cause, or duty, and it often carries a sense of steadfast commitment over time. Loyal is very close in meaning, but faithful more strongly suggests keeping promises and, in relationships, not straying, while loyal emphasises firm support and allegiance.
What is the difference between faithful and trustworthy?
Faithful means loyal and devoted, staying committed to a person, cause, or duty. Trustworthy means being reliable and honest so that others can depend on you; a person can be trustworthy in general without the specific devotion that faithful implies.
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