Word
fealty
Phoneticsfeal·ty
US/ˈfiəɫti/
UK/fˈiːlti/
Uncountable noun
Definition
n. loyal support for a leader, ruler, or country, often promised in a serious and formal way. You show fealty when you stay loyal even when it is difficult.
n. loyalty and obedience owed to a sovereign, lord, or state, traditionally affirmed by oath. Often invoked in feudal, historical, or ceremonial contexts.
Examples
“The knights swear fealty to their king.”
“New citizens pledge fealty to the country during the naturalization ceremony.”
“Despite changing governments, the old soldier maintained fealty to the ideals of service and duty he had embraced as a young recruit.”
Examples
simple
“The knights swear fealty to their king.”
contextual
“New citizens pledge fealty to the country during the naturalization ceremony.”
complex
“Despite changing governments, the old soldier maintained fealty to the ideals of service and duty he had embraced as a young recruit.”
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “fealty” in context.
Verb
01. fealty binds
“In feudal law, fealty binds the vassal to military service.”
noun + verb
02. fealty endures
“Even in exile, their fealty endures through generations of service.”
noun + verb
03. fealty shifts
“As alliances collapse, fealty shifts swiftly to the strongest faction.”
noun + verb
04. owe fealty
“Vassals owed fealty to the lord who granted them land.”
verb + noun
05. pledge fealty
“The chieftains pledged fealty to the high council after the treaty.”
verb + noun
Adjective
06. absolute fealty
“The knights were bound by absolute fealty to their liege lord.”
adj + noun
07. blind fealty
“He warned against blind fealty to leaders who abuse their power.”
adj + noun
Noun
08. bond of fealty
“The bond of fealty united the clans under one ruler.”
noun + prep + noun
09. oath of fealty
“Each knight took an oath of fealty before the coronation ceremony.”
noun + prep + noun
10. demand absolute fealty
“The tyrant demanded absolute fealty from his generals.”
11. pledge fealty to the king
“After the battle, the rebels pledged fealty to the king.”
12. profess undying fealty
“The envoy professed undying fealty to his sovereign.”
Usage
Commonly pairs with verbs like 'swear' or 'pledge' and the preposition 'to'.
Etymology
Inherited from Middle English feaute, feute, from Anglo-Norman fëauté, fëuté, from Latin fidēlitās (“faithfulness”; “homage, fealty” in Medieval Latin), from fidēlis (“faithful”) + -tās (noun suffix); the modern form (for expected *feauty /ˈfjuːti/) is due to learned influence. Equivalent to obsolete feal + -ty. Doublet of fidelity.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Related words
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C2 ProficiencyIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.8.5–9.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 6.0114–120
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- C2 · Proficiency
- Updated
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