WordGarden.iofaithfulness
B2Pronunciation
UK
- /fˈeɪθfəlnəs/
US
- /ˈfeɪθfəlˌnɛs/
Meanings
Noun
the quality of being loyal, steadfast, and reliable in commitments
loyalty to a romantic or sexual partner, especially by not cheating
steadfast religious belief, devotion, or trust
More meaningsFewer meanings
accuracy in representing or preserving an original
Beyond the definition
Faithfulness is not just about belief. It is about staying true to someone, something, or a promise over time. Think of a loyal dog that stays by its owner's side no matter what happens. It can describe strong commitment to people, values, duties, or agreements. A faithful friend is someone you can count on, and a faithful worker does their job well again and again. In religious use, it often means steady belief and obedience. In stories, a person shows faithfulness by standing by their values even in hard times.
Faithfulness is a deeply valued trait encompassing loyalty, devotion, and reliability. It's more than just a feeling; it's demonstrated through consistent actions and unwavering commitment. Imagine a lighthouse keeper faithfully tending the light night after night, guiding ships safely to shore—that embodies faithfulness in its purest form.
The word can be used in several contexts. In relationships—romantic, platonic, or familial—faithfulness means being trustworthy and dedicated. A faithful partner is committed to their relationship and avoids betrayal. In a professional setting, it signifies dependability and consistently fulfilling obligations. A company might praise an employee for their "faithful service" over many years. Beyond character traits, the word also describes accuracy; a "faithful translation" of a book is one that stays true to the original text without changing its meaning.
Historically, faithfulness held strong religious connotations, referring to adherence to divine principles or unwavering belief in God. The Bible frequently emphasizes the importance of being faithful to one's covenant with God. However, its meaning extends beyond religion. A writer might describe a character as "unwavering in their faithfulness" to a cause, even when facing immense pressure.
Ultimately, faithfulness is about keeping your word, remaining true to your values, and consistently showing up for those you care about—it's the bedrock of strong relationships and enduring trust. It's not simply what you believe, but how you act on that belief over time.
Examples
- 1
Relationship trust
She never had reason to question his faithfulness.
- 2
Long-term relationship
Their faithfulness to each other helped them through difficult years.
- 3
Adaptation accuracy
The film was praised for its faithfulness to the original novel.
- Patternfaithfulness to + original/source
how closely something follows or stays true to it
- 4
Principles
Many voters admired her faithfulness to her principles.
More examplesFewer examples
- 5
Religious comfort
Even in hard times, they found comfort in God's faithfulness.
See also
Similar
Shades of meaning
Contrast
- unfaithfulness
- betrayal
Used with (collocations)
- faithfulness to a promise
- faithfulness in marriage
- faithfulness to duty
Word family
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Forms and spellings
1 form open this card.
Main spelling
- faithfulnessnoun