adj Uncommon

staunch

stawnsh

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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.”

adj

Firmly loyal and unwavering in support of a person, belief, or cause.

"She remained a staunch supporter of the charity for over thirty years."

"He was a staunch defender of free speech, even when it was unpopular."

Solidly built and watertight; not leaking.

"The old boat proved surprisingly staunch despite its age."

verb

To stop the flow of something, especially blood (more commonly spelled "stanch").

"He pressed a cloth to the wound to staunch the bleeding."

How to use staunch

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishFirmly loyal and dependable, or (older sense) solid and watertight.

Common mistake

"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.

Easily confused with

stanch →

Common pairings

staunch supporter staunch ally staunch defender

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C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

Word forms

Plural: staunches
Comparative: stauncher
Superlative: staunchest

Test yourself on “staunch” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage →

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."

Origin: Old French

Synonyms

View more →

stem halt stanch unswerving steadfast

Antonyms

perfidious

Related words

game stop stay result base station gas finish

Rhymes for staunch

launch paunch relaunch

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.

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