staunch
Staunch (adj) means Firmly loyal and unwavering in support of a person, belief, or cause. Example: “She remained a staunch supporter of the charity for over thirty years.”
How to use staunch
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishFirmly loyal and dependable, or (older sense) solid and watertight.
"Staunch" and "stanch" both trace back to the same French root; in modern usage "staunch" is the adjective (a staunch ally) and "stanch" the verb (to stanch bleeding), though British English often uses "staunch" for both.
Word forms
stauncher comparative, staunches plural, staunchest superlative
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
She remained a _____ supporter of the charity for over thirty years.
Etymology
From Old French estanche, "watertight," related to estanchier, "to stop a flow of liquid" — the same root gives us "stanch."
Synonyms
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Rhymes for staunch
See all rhymes for staunch →Frequently asked questions
What does “staunch” mean?
The word “staunch” means firmly loyal and unwavering in support of a person, belief, or cause. In plain terms, firmly loyal and dependable, or (older sense) solid and watertight.
How do you pronounce “staunch”?
“Staunch” is pronounced stawnsh (/stɔːn(t)ʃ/ in IPA).
How do you use “staunch” in a sentence?
Here is “staunch” used in a sentence: “She remained a staunch supporter of the charity for over thirty years.”
What part of speech is “staunch”?
Depending on how it is used, “staunch” can be an adjective and a verb.
Where does the word “staunch” come from?
The word “staunch” comes from Old French. From Old French estanche, "watertight," related to estanchier, "to stop a flow of liquid" — the same root gives us "stanch.".
Is “staunch” a common word?
“Staunch” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “staunch” have?
“Staunch” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: firmly loyal and unwavering in support of a person, belief, or cause.