Loyal: Definition, Usage, and Examples

Meaning 1：faithful and devoted (loyal)

loyal 🔊

/ˈlɔɪəl/

adj.

Being faithful and devoted to someone or something, not changing your support easily.

Loyal dog waiting patiently for owner return home

faithful and devoted 🔊

➕

/ˈfeɪθfəl ənd dɪˈvoʊtɪd/

adj.

Being consistently faithful and supportive to someone or something without wavering.

📁 Category：Social Roles 🔖 Level：Intermediate

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

From Latin 'legalis' (legal), via Old French 'loial', meaning faithful to the law.

💡 Mnemonic

Think of a lion: 'Loyal as a lion' – always faithful to its pride.

📖 Example

She has been a loyal customer of this cafe for over ten years, always ordering the same coffee. 🔊 She has been a loyal customer of this cafe for over ten years, always ordering the same coffee.

🔗 Collocations

loyal friend – a friend who remains faithful and supportive

loyal support – unwavering assistance or backing

loyal customer – a customer who repeatedly buys from the same business

🔄 Synonyms

faithful (adj.) – Remaining loyal and steadfast in affection or allegiance.

devoted (adj.) – Showing strong love and loyalty for someone or something.

steadfast (adj.) – Resolutely firm and unwavering in loyalty or purpose.

🚫 Antonyms

disloyal (adj.) – Not loyal; betraying trust or allegiance.

unfaithful (adj.) – Failing to be loyal or true to a person, cause, or obligation.

treacherous (adj.) – Guilty of or involving betrayal or deception.

🌱 Derivatives

loyalty (n.) – the quality of being loyal

loyally (adv.) – in a loyal manner

loyalist (n.) – a person who remains loyal to a particular cause or government

📖 Cultural Story

Loyal shares roots with 'legal' and 'league', evolving from the concept of feudal loyalty to a lord or law in medieval Europe.