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loyal

adj.
US //ˈɫɔɪəɫ// UK //lˈɔɪəl// loy·al
  1. 1 faithful and supportive (adj.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    always giving your support to a person, group, or country.

    demonstrating constant and undivided support or allegiance to a person, institution, or sovereign.

    Example

    She has been a loyal friend to me for over twenty years.

    Example

    The senator remained loyal to his party despite the growing public pressure to vote against the controversial new legislation.

    Usage

    Typically followed by the preposition 'to' when indicating the object of devotion.

    Pitfall
    He is loyal with his friends.
    He is loyal to his friends.

    The adjective 'loyal' is followed by the preposition 'to', not 'with'.

Origin

Borrowed from Middle French loyal, from Old French loial, leial, leal, from Latin lēgālis. Doublet of legal and leal.

Word family

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