faithful

adjective faith·ful \ ˈfāth-fəl \

Updated on: 19 Apr 2018

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

Pope Francis has urged the faithful to not give up on the sacrament of reconciliation, especially those who continue to backslide.

— Fox News, "Pope focuses on reconciliation in Mass dedicated to mercy," 8 Apr. 2018
During the Easter service, Trail reminded the faithful that God is always working through their lives, whether in good times or times of trials, such as cancer or tragedy.

— frank vaisvilas, Daily Southtown, "Thousands flock to St. Damian's for Easter in Oak Forest," 1 Apr. 2018
The Living Stations of the Cross, which retraces the footsteps of Jesus before his death, is a way for the faithful to open their hearts and minds to God, attendees said.

— linda girardi, Aurora Beacon-News, "Aurora's Living Stations of the Cross a prayerful tradition for thousands," 30 Mar. 2018
For both faiths, the holidays, while celebrating different and non-related historically significant events are steeped in tradition and are important to the faithful.

— carrie napoleon, Post-Tribune, "Christian, Jewish faiths mark significant historical events with Passover, Easter," 29 Mar. 2018
The pope concluded by greeting the faithful in St. Peter's Square, getting out of the popemobile to shake hands as many cheered and took pictures.

— CBS News, "Pope Francis says young people should raise their voices in Palm Sunday address," 25 Mar. 2018
Pittsburgh Pirates There are off-seasons that energize a team’s fan base and there are off-seasons that plunge the faithful into deep depression.

— tom haudricourt, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "5 teams to watch in the National League and American League in 2018," 24 Mar. 2018
The design, developed by architect Richard Sauder, is more historically inspired than historically faithful, but the new millwork and cornice brackets do evoke the days when North Broad was lined with car showrooms.

— inga saffron, Philly.com, "A Studebaker showroom returns to North Philadelphia, this time without the cars," 15 Mar. 2018
The faithful, including my dad, make the 783-mile pilgrimage to find out first hand.

— tom corvin, latimes.com, "Remember the Titans: Forty years after Cal State Who, Fullerton takes on Purdue," 15 Mar. 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

see ¹faith

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

The party faithful in Wisconsin went from disliking Trump to overwhelmingly embracing him.

— craig gilbert, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Remember GOP's Cheesehead Revolution? As Ryan leaves, Wisconsin's national influence wanes," 14 Apr. 2018
Although Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino labelled the 28-year-old as one of the club's 'most important players', the Spurs faithful are not as convinced if their responses on Twitter are anything to go by...

— SI.com, "Football Fans Troll Moussa Sissoko After Hilarious Social Media Gaffe," 31 Mar. 2018
At the shrine, the faithful filed through an adjacent room that holds a small pit of dirt that some say has curative powers.

— Washington Post, "Throngs trek to adobe church in New Mexico on Good Friday," 30 Mar. 2018
When the world slipped in and the apocalypse approached, Short Creek’s faithful huddled inside their homes.

— alden woods, azcentral, "Outsiders, FLDS battle for control of towns Warren Jeffs left behind," 27 Mar. 2018
The party faithful in Montgomery County badly want a woman this year.

— maria panaritis, Philly.com, "Pa.'s Fourth Congressional District race was looking like a lock for Montgomery County women. Then along came Joe | Maria Panaritis," 22 Mar. 2018
When the final buzzer sounded, a wild celebration started with the Irish faithful who were part of the sellout crowd.

— doug feinburg, BostonGlobe.com, "Notre Dame beats Mississippi State on last-second shot," 2 Apr. 2018
When the final buzzer sounded, a wild celebration started with the Irish faithful who were part of the sellout crowd.

— doug feinberg, Houston Chronicle, "Notre Dame beats Mississippi State on Arike Ogunbowale's last-second shot," 1 Apr. 2018
Thousands of the faithful came out Friday to retrace Christ's path to death and resurrection at the Shrine of Christ's Passion in St. John.

— meredith colias-pete, Post-Tribune, "Faithful follow sacred path on Good Friday at Shrine of Christ's Passion in St. John," 31 Mar. 2018

Origin and Etymology of faithful

see ¹faith

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.