faith

¹faith

noun \ˈfāth\

plural faiths\ˈfāths, sometimes ˈfāthz\

Definition of FAITH

1

a : allegiance to duty or a person : loyalty b (1) : fidelity to one's promises (2) : sincerity of intentions

2

a (1) : belief and trust in and loyalty to God (2) : belief in the traditional doctrines of a religion b (1) : firm belief in something for which there is no proof (2) : complete trust

3

: something that is believed especially with strong conviction; especially : a system of religious beliefs <the Protestant faith>

— on faith

: without question <took everything he said on faith>

Examples of FAITH

1. His supporters have accepted his claims with blind faith.
2. Our faith in the government has been badly shaken by the recent scandals.
3. Lending him the money to start his own business was an act of faith.
4. It requires a giant leap of faith for us to believe that she is telling the truth.
5. Nothing is more important to her than her faith in God.
6. She says that her faith has given her the courage to deal with this tragedy.

Origin of FAITH

Middle English feith, from Anglo-French feid, fei, from Latin fides; akin to Latin fidere to trust — more at bide

First Known Use: 13th century

Related to FAITH

Synonyms: devotion, piety, religion

Antonyms: atheism, godlessness

Related Words: devoutness, piousness, religiousness; adoration, reverence, veneration, worship; profession, protestation

Near Antonyms: disbelief, doubt, unbelief, unfaith; agnosticism, know-nothingism; apostasy, lapse, tergiversation

see all synonyms and antonyms

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See Synonym Discussion at belief

Rhymes with FAITH

eighth, saithe, scathe, wraith

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