faithful

Meanings

1. 1
   adj

   steadfast in affection or allegiance

   years of faithful service

2. 2
   adj

   not having sexual relations with anyone except your husband or wife, or your boyfriend or girlfriend

   You should remain faithful to your significant other.

3. 3
   adj

   Loyal; adhering firmly to person or cause.

   My dog is very faithful: he doesn't like to be petted by anybody else.

4. 4
   adj

   Having faith.

   The application of the old discipline, say the conservatives, would probably produce a smaller but more faithful Church.

5. 5
   adj

   Reliable; worthy of trust.

   My servant is very faithful.

6. 6
   adj

   Consistent with reality.

   I would consider that a very faithful reproduction.

7. 7
   adj

   Engaging in sexual relations only with one's spouse or long-term sexual partner.

   They had been faithful to each other all of their married life.

8. 8
   noun

   The practicing members of a religion or followers of a cause.

   The faithful pray five times a day.

Etymology

From Middle English feithful, equivalent to faith + -ful.