loyalty
/ˈlɔɪəlti/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈlɔɪəlti/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈlȯi(-ə)l-tē/ (ame, mw)
loyalty — noun
1. the personal quality of continuing to stand by and support a person, group, or b
the personal quality of continuing to stand by and support a person, group, or belief, especially during difficult times.
Baraka showed strong loyalty to his football club, never missing a home game.
collocation: show + loyalty to [person/group]
The soldier's loyalty to her country was rewarded with a medal after many years.
Anjali showed true loyalty by visiting Wei in the hospital every day for three months.
Eric proved his loyalty by staying with the team when other members chose to leave.
- faithfulness
more personal and relational; often used in romantic or close friendship contexts
- devotion
adds a stronger emotional warmth and implies self-sacrifice or dedication
- allegiance
more formal and public; typically used for country, political party, or leader
- disloyalty
the opposite quality of being unfaithful or betraying trust
- betrayal
the act of breaking someone's trust after they relied on your loyalty
文法句型
loyalty to [someone/something]
[someone's] loyalty to [noun phrase]
用法筆記
Typically uncountable. Frequently used with the preposition 'to' to indicate the person, group, or principle that someone remains faithful to.
常見錯誤
2. the feeling of being emotionally tied to a person, organisation, or cause, often
the feeling of being emotionally tied to a person, organisation, or cause, often shown through ongoing support, dedication, and a sense of duty.
Abigail felt a deep loyalty to her old university, returning every year after she graduated.
collocation: deep loyalty to [institution]
Christopher had to decide where his loyalties lay when both friends needed his help.
plural form 'loyalties' for competing commitments
The manager valued Lien's loyalty above all other qualities, promoting her after just two years.
Ziad's loyalty to his political party was tested when the party backed a leader he disliked.
- commitment
broader and more neutral; can describe a promise or duty without the emotional depth of loyalty
- dedication
emphasises time, effort, and consistent attention rather than emotional bond
- fidelity
more formal and principled; suggests strict adherence to duty, truth, or a contract
- disloyalty
the lack of allegiance or support towards someone who expects it
- treachery
a stronger term for deliberate betrayal, often with serious consequences
文法句型
loyalty to [someone/something]
divided loyalties
[someone's] loyalties lie with [someone/something]
用法筆記
Often appears in the plural form 'loyalties' when describing divided or competing obligations between people, groups, or causes — for example, 'conflicting loyalties' or 'split loyalties'.