Word
unfaithful
Phoneticsun·faith·ful, stress on the second syllable
US/ənˈfeɪθfəɫ/
UK/ʌnfˈeɪθfəl/
Definition
adj. having a sexual or romantic relationship with someone who is not your husband, wife, or partner. It can also mean not being loyal to a person, group, or set of beliefs.
adj. engaging in sexual or romantic relations with a person other than one's established partner; failing to remain loyal to a person, organization, or principle.
Examples
“He was unfaithful to his wife for many years.”
“The politician lost the support of his party after he was found to be unfaithful to their core values.”
“The novel explores the psychological toll of being unfaithful, focusing on the protagonist's internal struggle between his personal desires and his commitment to his family.”
Examples
simple
“He was unfaithful to his wife for many years.”
contextual
“The politician lost the support of his party after he was found to be unfaithful to their core values.”
complex
“The novel explores the psychological toll of being unfaithful, focusing on the protagonist's internal struggle between his personal desires and his commitment to his family.”
Usage
Typically followed by the preposition 'to' when identifying the person or entity being betrayed.
Real-World Examples
“Imagine you are deciding whether to tell a friend that his husband has been unfaithful.” Etymology
From Middle English unfeithful, equivalent to un- + faithful.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- 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.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL 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: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/unfaithful