noun

loyalty

LOY-uhl-tee/ˈlɔɪəlti/

Faithful support or attachment to someone or something.

The woman expresses loyalty with her hand over her heart before the flag.

An older South Asian American woman stands with her right hand over her heart, solemnly facing the United States flag in a recognizable gesture of allegiance.

Etymology

loyLatinlaw

+alLatinpertaining to

+tyLatinquality or condition

The pieces name a quality rooted in lawfulness. Through the idea of faithfully fulfilling obligations and honoring allegiance, loyalty came to mean steadfast support rather than simply conformity to law.

In context

Stuart Fernie3:51

mike is treated like a loyal vassal and he is expected to accept the murders of his wife and son by conor as part of that loyalty

Reflections on characters and themes in Road to Perdition (2002)

More examples

Consistently good service earns customer loyalty.
His loyalties are divided between his family and his team.
Loyalty to a company does not mean ignoring its mistakes.

Forms

loyalty · loyalties

loyal adjective — Faithful and supportive toward someone or something.

loyally adverb — With faithful support or lasting commitment.

Similar words

devotion: Suggests deeper affection or dedication, often expressed through sustained care.
allegiance: Often emphasizes formal commitment to a country, leader, or group.
fidelity: Emphasizes remaining faithful to a relationship, promise, or principle.