fealty

noun

fe·​al·​ty ˈfē(-ə)l-tē 

plural fealties

1

a

: the fidelity of a vassal or feudal tenant to a lord

b

: the obligation of such fidelity

The vassal vowed fealty to the king.

2

: intense fidelity

… the fealty of country music fans to their favorite stars …

—Nicholas Dawidoff

Did you know?

In The Use of Law, published posthumously in 1629, Francis Bacon wrote, “Fealty is to take an oath upon a book, that he will be a faithful Tenant to the King.” That’s a pretty accurate summary of the early meaning of fealty. Early forms of the term were used in Middle English in the early 14th century, when they specifically designated the loyalty of a vassal to a lord. Eventually, the meaning of the word broadened. Fealty can be paid to a country, a principle, or a leader of any kind, though the synonyms fidelity and loyalty are more commonly used. Fealty comes from the Anglo-French word feelté, or fealté, which comes from the Latin noun fidēlitās, meaning “fidelity.” These words come ultimately from fidēs, the Latin word for “faith.”

Synonyms of fealty

• allegiance
• loyalty
• commitment
• dedication
• devotion
• fidelity

Choose the Right Synonym for fealty

fidelity, allegiance, fealty, loyalty, devotion, piety mean faithfulness to something to which one is bound by pledge or duty.

fidelity implies strict and continuing faithfulness to an obligation, trust, or duty.

marital fidelity

allegiance suggests an adherence like that of citizens to their country.

pledging allegiance

fealty implies a fidelity acknowledged by the individual and as compelling as a sworn vow.

fealty to the truth

loyalty implies a faithfulness that is steadfast in the face of any temptation to renounce, desert, or betray.

valued the loyalty of his friends

devotion stresses zeal and service amounting to self-dedication.

a painter's devotion to her art

piety stresses fidelity to obligations regarded as natural and fundamental.

filial piety

Examples of fealty in a Sentence

He swore fealty to the king.

as much as I wanted to back my friend up, my fealty to the truth was greater, and I could not lie for him

Recent Examples on the Web

Instead of demanding personal fealty or humiliating them to assert personal dominance, Lincoln absorbed their egos and occasional slights, elevating their talents and turning his fiercest political adversaries into his most devoted champions. — Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, Fortune, 24 June 2026

Aegon, reeling from his brother’s betrayal and, likely, the early stages of opiate withdrawal, refuses to pledge (pretend) fealty to the Blacks and so Larys reveals Aegon’s identity. — Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 22 June 2026

His unwavering fealty to the president and destruction of institutional norms should disqualify him from leading the only agency with its foundation -- foundational virtue in its name. — ABC News, 7 June 2026

Earlier Tuesday evening, Mellis had happily mugged for one news camera after another, expressing his fealty for Pratt. — Los Angeles Times, 6 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English feute, fealtye, borrowed from Anglo-French feelté, fealté, going back to Latin fidēlitāt-, fidēlitās "faithfulness, loyalty" — more at fidelity

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for fealty

• realty

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Kids Definition

fealty

noun

fe·​al·​ty ˈfē(-ə)l-tē 

plural fealties

: loyalty, allegiance