faithful

adjective faith·ful \ ˈfāth-fəl \

|Updated on: 13 Jun 2018

Tip: Synonym Guide

Examples: faithful in a Sentence

Definition of faithful

1 : steadfast in affection or allegiance : loyal

a faithful friend

2 : firm in adherence to promises or in observance of duty : conscientious

a faithful employee

3 : given with strong assurance : binding

a faithful promise

4 : true to the facts, to a standard, or to an original

a faithful copy

5 obsolete : full of faith

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faithfully

play \ˈfāth-fə-lē\ adverb

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faithfulness

noun

See faithful defined for English-language learners

See faithful defined for kids

Examples of faithful in a Sentence

She has provided the company with many years of faithful service.
He insists that he has always been faithful to his wife.

Recent Examples of faithful from the Web

Only 15 percent stay faithful from one season to the next.

— National Geographic, "What You Think You Know About Animals? Probably Not True," 26 May 2018
By contrast, Irish clergy have played a generally low-key role, appealing to the faithful to keep the ban through sermons and handouts at Sunday Mass but staying largely out of the public debate.

— paul hannon, WSJ, "Catholic Church Takes a Background Role Ahead of Ireland’s Abortion Vote," 23 May 2018
This style, while faithful to the original comic, does not provide a solid basis for the musical in terms of theme or plot.

— trevor moore, charlotteobserver, "STUDENT REVIEW: ‘Charlie Brown’ at Carmel Christian | Charlotte Observer," 20 May 2018
Manchester United were victorious over Watford on the final day of the Premier League season, after Marcus Rashford scored the game's only goal, whilst Michael Carrick waved goodbye to the Old Trafford faithful in his final appearance for the club.

— SI.com, "Jose Mourinho Claims Man Utd Are 'the Best They've Been for 5 Years' Following Watford Victory," 14 May 2018
All these years later, the Frick could have stayed faithful to Pope’s Beaux-Arts approach.

— justin davidson, Daily Intelligencer, "This Time, a Much More Promising Attempt to Fix the Frick," 13 Apr. 2018
That brought the Dayton faithful to their feet at the end of the third quarter.

— david taylor, Houston Chronicle, "Broncos drop heartbreaker to Barbers Hill, 53-51," 8 Feb. 2018
Luckily for the old GoLite faithful, the company that specialized in ultralight backpacking gear does still exist, albeit under a different name.

— ariella gintzler, Outside Online, "GoLite, Thru-Hikers' Favorite Brand, Is Back. Sorta.," 10 May 2018
With just two wins over Barca since February 2004, Branquiazuis' duo of victories at the Estadio Riazor have been memorable for the Depor faithful.

— SI.com, "Deportivo La Coruna vs Barcelona Preview: Classic Encounter, Key Battle, Team News & More," 28 Apr. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'faithful.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of faithful

Middle English feithful, from feith ¹faith + -ful ¹-ful

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 14th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

faithful Synonyms

Synonym Discussion of faithful

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

faithful

noun

Definition of faithful

1 plural in construction

a : church members in full communion and good standing —used with the

b : the body of believers in Islam —used with the

2 plural faithful or faithfuls : one who is faithful; especially : a loyal follower, member, or fan

party faithfuls

Recent Examples of faithful from the Web

As part of the nationwide fete, participating comic-book outlets give away free comics, created specifically for the day, to the comic-book faithful but also the comic-book curious (or, in Milwaukee, people who love free stuff, so that's everyone).

— chris foran, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Beer garden openings, Star Wars Day and more things to do in Milwaukee this weekend," 3 May 2018
Pfeffer dangles one hope in front of the Bitcoin faithful who dream of riches: the possibility there’s one cryptocurrency out there that will serve as a store of value for the digital world.

— lionel laurent, Bloomberg.com, "What Bitcoin Is Really Worth May No Longer Be Such a Mystery," 19 Apr. 2018
The Portuguese connected with a scintillating bicycle kick off a Dani Carvajal cross to notch his second goal of the afternoon, earning him a standing ovation from the home faithful.

— juan pimiento, chicagotribune.com, "Players, coaches, heads of state react to Ronaldo's superb bicycle kick goal," 4 Apr. 2018
As the eight-week series continues, Dustin hopes to convert all her viewers into mermaiding faithfuls.

— leah prinzivalli, SELF, "I Want to Hate on These Mermaid Fitness Videos, but They're Actually Kind of Great," 24 May 2018
To continue reading this story, TRY IT NOW Orsborn: Sports fans in general are forgiving sorts, and the Spurs faithful are no exception.

— staff report, San Antonio Express-News, "Writers’ roundtable: E-N sportswriters weigh in on Leonard, Aldridge, Ginobili," 4 May 2018
Pittsburgh fans can breathe easier knowing the San Francisco faithful have begun to see their McCutchen.

— henry schulman, San Francisco Chronicle, "For Giants’ McCutchen, a hero’s welcome awaits in Pittsburgh," 10 May 2018
Yet despite early rain, the skies cleared and the true Fire faithful watched their men in red beat Montreal and pick up a valuable three points.

— john kass, chicagotribune.com, "Chicago Fire fans want Tom Ricketts to buy their team, too," 10 May 2018
So, for those into mapping out their own destinies, here are 12 suggestions on what looks especially inviting at this year’s 20th annual gathering of Baltimore’s film faithful.

— chris kaltenbach, baltimoresun.com, "Maryland Film Festival's 12 must-see movies," 2 May 2018

Origin and Etymology of faithful

derivative of ¹faithful

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 15th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

FAITHFUL Defined for English Language Learners

faithful

adjective

Definition of faithful for English Language Learners

: having or showing true and constant support or loyalty
: deserving trust : keeping your promises or doing what you are supposed to do
: not having sex with someone who is not your wife, husband, girlfriend, or boyfriend

FAITHFUL Defined for Kids

faithful

adjective faith·ful \ ˈfāth-fəl \

Definition of faithful for Students

1 : firm in devotion or support

a faithful friend

2 : reliable

a faithful worker

3 : true to the facts : accurate

The model was a faithful copy of my grandfather's car.

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faithfully

\-fə-lē\ adverb

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faithfulness

noun

Synonym Discussion of faithful

faithful, loyal, and true mean firm in devotion to something. faithful is used of someone who has a firm and constant devotion to something to which he or she is united by or as if by a promise or pledge.