loyal

adjective

loy·​al ˈlȯi(-ə)l 

1

: unswerving in allegiance: such as

a

: faithful in allegiance to one's lawful sovereign or government

were loyal to the king

b

: faithful to a private person to whom faithfulness is due

a loyal husband

c

: faithful to a cause, ideal, custom, institution, or product

a loyal churchgoer

loyal to the party of their forebears

—Dennis Farney

2

: showing loyalty

a loyal friend

3

obsolete : lawful, legitimate

loyally

ˈlȯi-ə-lē 

adverb

Synonyms of loyal

• steadfast
• staunch
• faithful
• devout
• true
• dedicated
• devoted

Choose the Right Synonym for loyal

faithful, loyal, constant, staunch, steadfast, resolute mean firm in adherence to whatever one owes allegiance.

faithful implies unswerving adherence to a person or thing or to the oath or promise by which a tie was contracted.

faithful to her promise

loyal implies a firm resistance to any temptation to desert or betray.

remained loyal to the czar

constant stresses continuing firmness of emotional attachment without necessarily implying strict obedience to promises or vows.

constant friends

staunch suggests fortitude and resolution in adherence and imperviousness to influences that would weaken it.

a staunch defender of free speech

steadfast implies a steady and unwavering course in love, allegiance, or conviction.

steadfast in their support

resolute implies firm determination to adhere to a cause or purpose.

a resolute ally

Examples of loyal in a Sentence

The team has many loyal fans.

She has provided the company with many years of loyal service.

Recent Examples on the Web

The best scent picks at Dollar General Dollar General’s fragrance aisle leans into recognizable drugstore favorites, including Body Fantasies and Bodycology brands that have built loyal followings thanks to their sweet, wearable scent profiles. —Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Miami Herald, 18 June 2026

Because these districts are overwhelmingly Democratic, the primary is the election, and Black voters remain the party's most loyal constituency, with about 83 percent identifying with or leaning Democratic, according to Pew Research Center. —Tonya M. Evans, Forbes.com, 18 June 2026

But for many loyal viewers — particularly those of us who have been watching the show for decades — the true appeal of Jeopardy is its consistency. —Louis Peitzman, Entertainment Weekly, 18 June 2026

The sentient spaceship named the Andromeda Ascendant was a cool touch, and the show's upbeat nature won over loyal genre audiences. —Jeff Spry, Space.com, 17 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

1531, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for loyal

• royal
• disloyal
• pennyroyal

Kids Definition

loyal

adjective

loy·​al ˈlȯi(-ə)l 

1

a

: faithful to one's lawful government

b

: faithful to a person to whom allegiance or affection is due

2

: faithful to a cause or ideal

loyally

ˈlȯi-ə-lē 

adverb