loyal

adjective

loy·​al ˈlȯi(-ə)l How to pronounce loyal (audio)
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 forebearsDennis Farney
2
: showing loyalty
a loyal friend
3
obsolete : lawful, legitimate
loyally adverb
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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
His administration removed 18 board members who had been appointed by his predecessor, Joe Biden, to what used to be a bipartisan board, while appointing those loyal to Trump, such as his chief of staff Susie Wiles and Usha Vance, the wife of Vice President JD Vance. Adam Crafton, New York Times, 23 Aug. 2025 Leo: Royalty and leadership Confident, regal and loyal, Leo shines like the ruler of their own universe. Valerie Mesa, People.com, 21 Aug. 2025 The White Lotus and Too Much star will play the musical genius alongside Paul Bettany (WandaVision), as envious court composer Antonio Salieri, and Gabrielle Creevy (In My Skin) as Constanze Weber, Mozart’s fiercely loyal wife. Jake Kanter, Deadline, 21 Aug. 2025 When 25-year-old Amadeus arrives in bustling 18th-century Vienna, no longer a child prodigy and craving creative freedom, his world collides with two pivotal figures: his fiercely loyal future wife, Constanze Weber, and devoutly religious court composer, Antonio Salieri. Lily Ford, HollywoodReporter, 21 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for loyal

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of loyal was in 1531

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Loyal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/loyal. Accessed 28 Aug. 2025.

Kids Definition

loyal

adjective
loy·​al ˈlȯi(-ə)l How to pronounce loyal (audio)
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 adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on loyal

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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