faithful

[feyth-fuhl]

adjective

1. true to one's word, promises, vows, etc.

2. steady in allegiance or affection; loyal; constant.

   faithful friends.

   Synonyms: staunch, devoted, true

3. reliable, trusted, or believed.

4. strict or thorough in the performance of duty.

   a faithful worker.

5. adhering or true to fact, a standard, or an original; accurate.

   a faithful account;

   a faithful copy.

   Synonyms: exact, precise

6. Obsolete.,  full of faith; believing.

noun

1. the faithful,

   1. the believers, especially members of a Christian church or adherents of Islam.

   2. the body of loyal members of any party or group.

faithful

/ ˈfeɪθfʊl /

adjective

1. having faith; remaining true, constant, or loyal

2. maintaining sexual loyalty to one's lover or spouse

3. consistently reliable

   a faithful worker

4. reliable or truthful

   a faithful source

5. accurate in detail

   a faithful translation

noun

1. 1. the believers in and loyal adherents of a religious faith, esp Christianity

   2. any group of loyal and steadfast followers

Other Word Forms

• faithfully adverb
• faithfulness noun
• overfaithful adjective
• pseudofaithful adjective
• quasi-faithful adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of faithful¹

First recorded in 1375–1425; faith, -ful

Synonym Study

Faithful, constant, loyal imply qualities of stability, dependability, and devotion. Faithful implies long-continued and steadfast fidelity to whatever one is bound to by a pledge, duty, or obligation: a faithful friend. Constant suggests firmness and steadfastness in attachment: a constant affection. Loyal implies unswerving allegiance to a person, organization, cause, or idea: loyal to one's associates, one's country.

Example Sentences

The church is scheduled to recognize the Feast of St. Michael on Sept. 29, which celebrates the archangel’s role as a defender of the faithful.

From Los Angeles Times

While he's made a name for himself as a feisty media performer among the party faithful, he's little known outside the London Assembly, where he is an elected member.

From BBC

They described the game as a "truly a faithful recreation", adding that it improved "the essence of the original without changing its fundamental structure".

From BBC

Now, authorities are asking the public’s help in locating Poncho, her faithful canine companion, who has been missing for days.

From Los Angeles Times

"I am faithful, however, they are with God and I will see them again," he said.

From BBC

Related Words

• affectionate 
• ardent 
• conscientious 
• dependable 
• devoted 
• dutiful 
• hard-core 
• honest 
• honorable 
• loving 
• obedient 
• patriotic 
• resolute 
• scrupulous 
• sincere 
• staunch 
• steadfast 
• true 
• trustworthy 
• trusty