loyal definition

English loyal definition

Alternative forms

• loyall (obsolete)

Etymology

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

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ˈlɔɪəl/
• Rhymes: -ɔɪəl

• Audio (UK)

  (file)

Adjective

loyal (comparative loyaler or loyaller, superlative loyalest or loyallest)

1. Having or demonstrating undivided and constant support for someone or something.

   Dogs are very loyal animals, which is why they make wonderful pets.

   George is a loyal and loving husband.

2. Firm in allegiance to a person or institution.
3. Faithful to a person or cause.

   We must remain loyal to the mission.

Antonyms

• disloyal
• fickle
• treacherous

Derived terms

• loyal toast
• loyally
• loyalist

Related terms

• loyalty

Translations

Anagrams

• Yolla, alloy, yallo

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Danish loyal definition

Etymology

Borrowed from French loyal.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /løjaːl/, [lʌˈjæːˀl]

Adjective

loyal

1. loyal

Inflection

Inflection of loyal
	Positive	Comparative	Superlative
Common singular	loyal	—	—2
Neuter singular	loyalt	—	—2
Plural	loyale	—	—2
Definite attributive1	loyale	—	—
1) When an adjective is applied predicatively to something definite, the corresponding "indefinite" form is used. 2) The "indefinite" superlatives may not be used attributively.

Derived terms

• illoyal
• loyalitet

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French loyal definition

Etymology

From Old French loial (with various alternative forms: leial, leal, loyel) from Latin lēgālis.^[1] Equivalent to loi +‎ -al. Doublet of légal.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /lwa.jal/

• Audio

  (file)

• Homophones: loyale, loyales

Adjective

loyal (feminine loyale, masculine plural loyaux, feminine plural loyales)

1. loyal

Related terms

• loi
• loyauté

References

Further reading

• “loyal”, in Trésor de la langue française informatisé [Digitized Treasury of the French Language], 2012.

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German loyal definition

Etymology

18th century, from French loyal, from Latin legalis. Doublet of legal.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /lo̯aˈjaːl/, [lɔˈjaːl], [lo-], [lo.aˈjaːl]

• Audio

  (file)

Adjective

loyal (strong nominative masculine singular loyaler, comparative loyaler, superlative am loyalsten)

1. loyal

   Antonym: illoyal

Usage notes

• Loyal usually means a formal, outward kind of loyalty, whereas treu tends to mean loyalty that is based on emotion or deep-rooted conviction. Therefore loyal is used especially with institutions, business partners, colleagues etc., while treu is used especially with lovers, friends, pets and suchlike. Ein loyaler Ehemann would be a husband who is reliable, supports his wife, does not speak ill of her, etc., whereas ein treuer Ehemann would put more emphasis on intimate affection and monogamy. Similarly, ein loyaler Anhänger is a follower who is reliable and performs their duty, while the expression ein treuer Anhänger may add an emotional level.

Declension

Related terms

• Loyalist
• Loyalität

Further reading

• “loyal” in Duden online
• “loyal” in Digitales Wörterbuch der deutschen Sprache

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Middle French loyal definition

Etymology

From Old French loial.

Adjective

loyal m (feminine singular loyale, masculine plural loyaux, feminine plural loyales)

1. loyal

Descendants

• French: loyal

References

• Godefroy, Frédéric, Dictionnaire de l'ancienne langue française et de tous ses dialectes du IX^e au XV^e siècle (1881) (loial, supplement)