fidelity

[fi-del-i-tee, fahy-]

noun

plural

fidelities 

1. strict observance of promises, duties, etc..

   a servant's fidelity.

2. loyalty.

   fidelity to one's country.

   Antonyms: disloyalty

3. conjugal faithfulness.

4. adherence to fact or detail.

5. accuracy; exactness.

   The speech was transcribed with great fidelity.

   Synonyms: rigor, faithfulness, precision

6. Audio, Video.,  the degree of accuracy with which sound or images are recorded or reproduced.

fidelity

/ fɪˈdɛlɪtɪ /

noun

1. devotion to duties, obligations, etc; faithfulness

2. loyalty or devotion, as to a person or cause

3. faithfulness to one's spouse, lover, etc

4. adherence to truth; accuracy in reporting detail

5. electronics the degree to which the output of a system, such as an amplifier or radio, accurately reproduces the characteristics of the input signal See also high fidelity

Other Word Forms

• nonfidelity noun
• unfidelity noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of fidelity¹

First recorded in 1500–10; late Middle English fidelite (from Middle French ), from Latin fidēlitās, equivalent to fidēli- (stem of fidēlis “loyal,” equivalent to fidē(s) faith + -lis adjective suffix) + -tās -ty ²

Word History and Origins

Origin of fidelity¹

C15: from Latin fidēlitās , from fidēlis faithful, from fidēs faith, loyalty

Synonym Study

See loyalty.

Example Sentences

Kennedy has signaled his own fidelity to eugenics by suggesting recently that people with autism are nonfunctional members of society…

From Salon

Being specific on the page requires research, a fidelity to facts and a willingness to be bold — in this case, in the name of Ukraine’s children.

From Salon

A significant part of his base, which he consciously cultivated to a cult-like fidelity, is righteously angered and demanding answers.

From Salon

The solution to these and other social problems, they insist, is fidelity to a dominionist God and a theology eager to bring Christian nationalism to, and keep it in, power.

From Salon

Anyone who cares about the truth should be applauding those who tell it, not demanding fidelity to rules that no longer apply.

From Salon

Related Words

• devotion 
• loyalty