faithful
UK: ˈfeɪθ.fəl | US: ˈfeɪθ.fəl
adj. loyal and steadfast in allegiance or affection
adj. consistently reliable or truthful (e.g., a faithful account)
n. (the faithful) devout believers in a religion
The word "faithful" combines the Old French-derived root "faith" (from Latin fides, meaning "trust" or "belief") with the English suffix "-ful" (from Old English -full, meaning "full of"). The term evolved in Middle English to describe someone "full of faith," emphasizing loyalty and reliability. Over time, it expanded to include accuracy in representation (e.g., "faithful copy") and collective religious devotion ("the faithful").
The dog remained faithful to its owner for years.
She gave a faithful description of the event.
The translation stays faithful to the original text.
The faithful gathered at the temple for the ceremony.
A faithful friend is a rare treasure.