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faithful

faithful

66 2.1
Having sex only with your husband, wife, or partner
  • adjective
  • /ˈfeɪθfəl/
  • NSFW
: fiel
  • I have always been faithful to my partner in our relationship.
  • remain faithful
  • a faithful husband
  • a faithful wife

I've not actually ever been faithful in any relationship.

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Examples

  • But you've been faithful to me, I really appreciate it.

  • Your father and I have remained faithful to each other, and God has repeatedly blessed us.

    Fiction book (1996)
  • - I was always faithful to you.

  • I was faithful to Bill from the day we were married.

  • A happy and faithful wife.

  • Come what may, I will remain faithful to my beloved until the day I die.

    Fiction book (1998)
  • Is it likely that Fernando will be a faithful husband?

  • A faithful wife.

  • Henceforth, Josephine will prove a faithful wife and, through her social connections, an important political ally.

  • She promised to be faithful during their marriage and keep her vows.

Synonyms

loyal
vsfaithful
466 1.0

Always supporting a person or group, especially in hard times

is narrower, focusing on sexual exclusivity rather than general devotion
true to
vsfaithful
160 3.2

Faithful and loyal to your partner by not having sex with other people

is specifically about being sexually exclusive to a partner
committed
vsfaithful
50 3.5

In a romantic relationship with only one partner and loyal to them

stresses sexual exclusivity rather than general involvement or support
monogamous
vsfaithful
37 5.3

Having only one partner for marriage or sex at a time

focuses on personal sexual exclusivity rather than relationship structure over time
steadfast
vsfaithful
30 5.6

Loyal and firm in support that does not change

applies to sexual exclusivity, not just general unchanging commitment
constant
vsfaithful
7 3.5

Stays firm and loyal in support for someone

refers specifically to sexual exclusivity rather than steady emotional steadiness

Antonyms

unfaithful
  • NSFW
41 4.0

Having sex with someone who is not your partner

Compounds

4 4.1

A famous geyser in Yellowstone National Park that shoots hot water and steam about every hour

How Faithful

monogamous
37 5.3
faithful
  • NSFW
66 2.1
unfaithful
  • NSFW
41 4.0

Surface Forms

faithful positive
faithfuller comparative
faithfullest superlative

Morphology

faithful = faith (transparent) = faith + ful

The sense 'sexually loyal' is a specific application of being 'full of faith/loyalty' and is predictable from 'faith' + '-ful' for most learners.

Etymology

Faithful comes from faith ('trust') and -ful ('full of'), and a helpful way to remember the relationship meaning is to think of someone 'full of trust' who keeps their promises to one partner, so they are faithful in a relationship.