Main Entry:

loy·al

Pronunciation:

\ˈlȯi(-ə)l\

Function:

adjective

Etymology:

Middle French, from Old French leial, leel, from Latin legalis legal

Date:

1531

1: unswerving in allegiance: as a: faithful in allegiance to one's lawful sovereign or government b: faithful to a private person to whom fidelity is due c: faithful to a cause, ideal, custom, institution, or product 2: showing loyalty3obsolete : lawful, legitimate

synonyms see faithful

— loy·al·ly \ˈlȯi-ə-lē\ adverb