loyal

adjective

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

Synonyms of loyal

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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.
William Franklin, who remained loyal to Britain, moved to London after the war. — James Alexander, Hartford Courant, 5 July 2026 Criston Cole has a paltry force and one the Riverlanders loyal to Rhaenyra and Daemon should have no trouble with. — Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 6 July 2026 An unswervingly loyal oncologist, Wilson was the acerbic doctor's only true friend. — Danny Horn, Entertainment Weekly, 5 July 2026 The color palette changed so that the attire of the Cogsworth character — the Beast’s loyal majordomo who has been transformed into a clock — is now green rather than brown. — Tribune News Service, San Diego Union-Tribune, 3 July 2026 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

Rhymes for loyal

See All Rhymes for loyal

Browse Nearby Words

loy
loyal
loyalism
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Cite this Entry

“Loyal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/loyal. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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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
ˈlȯi-ə-lē How to pronounce loyal (audio)
adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on loyal

Nglish: Translation of loyal for Spanish Speakers

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