loyalloy‧al /ˈlɔɪəl/ ●●○ adjective 
The army has remained loyal to the government. a loyal supporter of the team her many years of loyal service to the company loyal customers—loyally adverb: He has always loyally defended the president.
WORD ORIGINloyal
Origin:
1500-1600 Old French leial, leel, from Latin legalis; ➔ LEGALEXAMPLES FROM OTHER DICTIONARIES
- a loyal supporter of the Green Party
- Although they continue to argue, she remains fiercely loyal to her mother.
- Many of the party's loyal supporters have begun to question his leadership.
- She has been a good and loyal friend to me.
- She was described as a loyal friend of the Princess.
- The army remained loyal to the president.
- Their fans remain loyal.
- Card holders not only spend more, but are more loyal.
- He more willingly identifies himself as Clinton's loyal lieutenant, ready to assume full command.
- I placed all my loyal guard at the previous Inquisitor's service, did I not?
- In return the club may see a return to even greater loyal support.
- Inclan and the people of Puebla remained loyal to Herrera and to constitutional order and refused to accede to his demands.
- Klein prided himself on being a loyal subject who had served his adopted country with honour.
- The national guard of Jalisco, however, remained loyal to the government.
THESAURUS
continuing to support a person, party, belief etc for a long time: · his long and faithful service to the party· his faithful servant· He remained faithful to his fatherland right to the end.· She was one of the party’s most faithful and hard-working members.
supporting a particular person, party, set of beliefs, etc – used especially about someone you can can trust and depend on to support you: · a loyal friend· loyal party members· The women have remained loyal to the goals of the Communist Party.· I am not blindly loyal. If I see something that I think is a mistake which could be handled better, I will say so.
strongly supporting someone or something because you admire them, love them, or enjoy what they do: · the author’s devoted fans· her devoted husband
[only before noun] a staunch supporter, defender, or allyis very loyal, in spite of problems or difficulties: · He is a staunch supporter of the president.· a staunch defender of civil liberties· the US’s staunchest ally
[usually before noun] a steadfast friend or supporter is very loyal. Also used about someone’s support or service: · Lewis was a generous and steadfast friend.· the steadfast support of America's allies· The Queen has set a shining example of steadfast service to her country.
faithful and loyal to someone, or to your beliefs, principles etc, even if there are problems: · In times like these you find out who your true friends are.· He remained true to his socialist principles.· She promised that she would always be true to him.
feeling a lot of love and respect for your country: · Americans are very patriotic.· His speech was full of patriotic rhetoric.
people especially written if someone is trustworthy, you can trust them because they are honest: · Many people do not see politicians as trustworthy.
someone who is reliable can be trusted to do what they say they will do and not make any mistakes: · a reliable employee· We need someone who is 100% reliable.
someone who is responsible can be trusted to behave in a sensible way: · Sam’s a good babysitter – he’s responsible and the kids like him.· a responsible adult
someone who is dependable can be trusted to do what you need or expect: · Britain is our most dependable ally.
someone who is steady is sensible and you can depend on them: · He’s only sixteen, but he’s steady and reliable.
someone who is loyal can be trusted to always give help or support to their friends, their country, their political party etc: · She is fiercely loyal to her family.· He is one of the party’s most loyal supporters.
someone who is faithful stays loyal to a person, belief, political party etc, and continues to support them, even in difficult situations: · Daniel had been a faithful friend.· a faithful member of the Communist Party
if you can rely or depend on someone, you can be sure that they will do what you want or need them to do: · Don’t worry about a thing – you can depend on me.· Patients rely on doctors to help them make the right decisions about their health care.
Longman Language Activatorloyal someone who is loyal can be trusted to always give help or support to their friends, their country, their political party etc: · Many of the party's loyal supporters have begun to question his leadership.· She has been a good and loyal friend to me.loyal to: · The army remained loyal to the president.
someone who is faithful continues to support or serve someone for a long time: · The band still has a large number of faithful followers.· The majority of Mark's supporters remained faithful throughout the crisis.· His faithful dog Hachiko waited for him.faithful to: · Many older people still remain faithful to the party.
: devoted follower/friend/husband etc a follower, friend etc who is very loyal to a person because they care deeply about them or because they enjoy or support what they do: · He described Mr Edwards as "a good man and a devoted husband."· Thousands of devoted fans waited in the rain for the group to arrive.
: staunch supporter/ally/friend etc someone who continues to be a strong supporter or a good friend in spite of problems or difficulties: · The US has been a staunch ally of ours for many years now.· He has been a staunch supporter of the Liberal Party for over thirty years.
to give support to a friend or country that is in difficulty: · I was lucky that my family all stuck by me when I was in prison.· She said she would stand by him whatever happened.· They were supposed to be our allies but they didn't stand by us when war broke out.
to be loyal to someone, especially a close friend or someone you love - used especially in stories: · You've been true to me all these years. How can I reward you?· They would remain true to their old friend no matter what happened.
loyal behaviour loyal behaviour: · I would like to thank you all for your loyalty.loyalty to: · He acted out of loyalty to his friends.your loyalty lies with somebody (=you should show loyalty to them): · Your loyalty lies first and foremost with your family.unswerving loyalty (=unchanging loyalty): · Dalton showed unswerving loyalty to his employer throughout the trial.divided loyalties (=feelings of loyalty to two different groups): · The war has created divided loyalties in many families, setting brother against brother and father against son.
loyalty to someone you have strong feelings of admiration, respect etc for: devotion to: · Her life was one of hard work and devotion to her family.unfailing/unswerving devotion (=unchanging devotion): · She cared for her stepmother with unfailing devotion throughout her long illness.
formal loyalty to a leader, organization, or country, especially when someone says publicly that they will be loyal: · Their allegiance is still to the Queen.proclaim/pledge your allegiance to: · Opposition leaders have proclaimed their allegiance to the new government.
loyalty between different social or political groups or between all the people in a group, because they all have a shared purpose and need to work together to succeed: show/express solidarity: · Women all over the world have been demonstrating to show their solidarity.solidarity among: · Solidarity among black people in South Africa is essential if progress is to be made.solidarity with: · Other health professionals were quick to express their solidarity with nurses.
not loyal not loyal to your friends, your country, or the group you belong to: · Government MPs who voted against the bill were accused of being disloyal.· She felt disloyal and ashamed of herself.disloyal to: · He didn't want to be disloyal to his employer.
someone who is treacherous is extremely disloyal and cannot be trusted because they secretly intend to harm other people in order to get advantages for themselves: · He knew he had been betrayed by a scheming and treacherous woman.
disloyal behaviour when someone behaves in a way that is not loyal to their friends, country, or the group they belong to: · Other party members accused Simpson of disloyalty.disloyalty to: · I knew they all hated me for my disloyalty to the family.
when you can be sure that someone will do what you want if you can depend on someone or can rely on them, you can be sure that they will do what you want or need them to do: · It's going to be a stressful time - you'll need to have someone with you who you can depend on.can depend/rely on sb to do something: · We knew we could rely on Tom to bring some good music.
someone who is reliable can be trusted to do what they say they will do and not make any mistakes: · It's strange Ben isn't here. He's usually so reliable.· In many offices the most reliable people with the longest service are the secretaries.
someone who is responsible can be trusted to behave in a sensible way, so you do not need to worry that they will do something careless or stupid: · We never worried about letting Sam babysit our kids - he'd always seemed very responsible and intelligent. · He treated me as if I wasn't responsible enough to be given the tools to do my job.responsible behaviour/decisions etc: · Two new programs are being developed to help promote responsible sexual behavior.
someone who is loyal can be trusted to always give help or support to their friends, their country, their political party etc: · a loyal supporter of the Green Party· She was described as a loyal friend of the Princess.loyal to: · Although they continue to argue, she remains fiercely loyal to her mother.
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE ENTRY The army has remained loyal to the government. a loyal supporter of the team her many years of loyal service to the companyCOLLOCATIONS FROM OTHER ENTRIES
The army has remained loyal to the government. a loyal supporter of the team her many years of loyal service to the company (=who has been a customer for a long time)· Some of our loyal customers have been coming here since the store opened.
(=fans who always support someone)· He will be playing to hundreds of loyal fans on Sunday.
· The party still has many loyal supporters.
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE CORPUSADVERB· Dysart had been, over the years, as loyal a friend as any man could ask for.
· Despite the planners, people are people and fiercely loyal to their hospitals.· When one of the fiercely loyal team is gunned down in the line of duty, the unit seems ready to collapse.· The dragons of Caledor are fiercely loyal to their riders.
· But he is also said to be intensely loyal to the woman who stood by him during his 27 years of imprisonment.· Along with his intensely loyal family he struggles hard to achieve downward mobility.
· I don't know Ian, but I do know Joanna, and you couldn't have a more loyal friend.· Private equity is far more loyal than public markets.· Those without families proved more loyal to rulers than men who dallied with the hope of establishing their own dynasties.· Card holders not only spend more, but are more loyal.· But shoppers are now more loyal to their local shops than to faceless behemoths like Philip Morris.· Mrs Roosevelt had a much stronger and more loyal band of supporters than Mrs Clinton does.· Alongside some respectable advisers, he seems to attract a rabble of supporters more loyal to the man than to the cause.· Finally, salespeople are generally seen as more loyal to their accounts than to their companies.
· The most loyal readers buy as many as 30 titles a month.· Still, the Corvette has one of the most loyal followings in the car world.· Even the most loyal officials found it increasingly difficult to defend serfdom on moral grounds.· You managed to chase away your most loyal viewer.· His most loyal cocaine customers were in the City, Whitehall and the Palace of Westminster.· The ship has one of the most loyal followings in passenger ship history.· The 1997 parliament was the most loyal of modern times.· Realistically, even the most loyal Raiders fans had to expect a performance like this sooner or later.
· But if he were really so loyal he would keep quiet.
· Soldiers appeared in the streets and showed that the Army was still loyal to the Shah and to Zahedi.· Roosevelt reckoned that the Army was still loyal to the Shah and that a strong coalition could be mounted against Mossadeq.· Karpov, who is still loyal to the regime, in so far as there is one, is 39.
· Even so, he remains very loyal to his old friends.· In spite of everything, he and Frank were really very loyal to one another.· George had a very loyal nature towards Lennie.· Any program that can satisfy so many wants at such a bargain price is guaranteed a very loyal constituency.· Unlike you, Paige is a very loyal person - she wouldn't betray you, even to save herself.· Gramm supporters in Texas are very loyal, they say.· A lonely and gruff soul, Glam was exceedingly ugly with rough hair and skin, though very loyal to his employer.· I met some now very loyal friends who have seen me through these last three and a half years.
NOUN· The retail part of the business contains loyal customers with much repeat business.· Until it was forced out, Super Star Video had relied on extremely loyal customers whom the Elgaens treated as friends.· That's bad news for loyal customers.· Independent grocery stores have used Nordstrom-style personal service for years to maintain loyal customer bases.· The local store is rumoured to be considering Sunday closing after the loss of its most loyal customer!
· Gerry will be playing to hundreds of loyal fans at the Apollo theatre in Oxford tonight.
· I don't know Ian, but I do know Joanna, and you couldn't have a more loyal friend.· Ingrid and other loyal friends spent long hours burning the midnight oil with her when it came to the final typing.· He reaffirms his pleasure at once again seeing so many of his loyal friends.· You could be passing up the chance to obtain the most loving, loyal friend anyone could wish for.· Luckily I have many loyal friends here - more, perhaps, than you do.· I met some now very loyal friends who have seen me through these last three and a half years.
· He would never be a rival, he would remain the loyal servant of the Chairman.· I came here to be a good lord as well as the King's most loyal servant!· It's loyal servants the Lancaster and Andovers bid their farewells.· Two of the King's most loyal servants have died here, foully murdered.
· Tenants who refuse to accept leases are given notice to quit and find themselves on the streets after years of loyal service.· I feel let down after giving the club 10 years' loyal service.· The Institute is grateful to them for their loyal service which in Ian Shaw's case totalled nearly twenty five years.· Anderson has been forced to retire from the game through injury after ten years' loyal service at St.James's Park.
· Klein prided himself on being a loyal subject who had served his adopted country with honour.· The man was still conditioned to think like a loyal subject of the T'ang.· She wouldn't want her loyal subject imprisoned.
· In return the club may see a return to even greater loyal support.· So despite the enormous gains they conferred un their masters, they were often cheated of the loyal support they deserved.
· There is a limit to the knocks loyal supporters can take.· Oregon has an organization like this too, called the Fast Break Club, with fifty loyal supporters.· For 30 years, he was a paid-up and apparently loyal supporter of its policies.· And the two Express newspapers are the Tories' most loyal supporters in Fleet Street.· Diana hopes that all the pressures of trying to pretend to loyal supporters about her marriage will now be removed.· But Jenny, determined to be a true and loyal supporter, was hedging Maria's bets.
PHRASES FROM OTHER ENTRIES
always supporting your friends, principles, country etc OPP disloyalloyal to- David was loyal to a fault, and in his naive understanding quietly expected the same kind of loyalty in return.
- He is loyal to a fault, even to his enemies.
- His father's brother, Gloucester had hitherto been loyal to a fault.
- Your tutor may be generous to a fault but can not reward irrelevance or peripheral knowledge display. 3.
The army has remained loyal to the government. a loyal supporter of the team her many years of loyal service to the company loyal customers—loyally adverb: He has always loyally defended the president.