Faithful

Faithful is an adjective meaning loyal, reliable, and steadfast in allegiance, duty, or affection. It can describe people, animals, or objects that consistently fulfill expectations or commitments, or that accurately reflect a source or original.

In personal relationships, faithful most often refers to fidelity in marriage or romance, implying exclusivity and trust. It can also describe a dependable friend or colleague who keeps promises and stands by others over time.

In religious contexts, the faithful are believers or adherents who maintain devotion to a deity, doctrine, or religious community. The term can contrast with those who are indifferent or uncommitted.

In art, media, and science, faithful is used to denote accuracy of representation—for example, a faithful copy, a faithful translation, or a faithful performance that preserves the character of the source material.

Etymology and related terms: the word derives from concepts of faith, trust, and loyalty, with origins in Old English and related Germanic languages; it is connected to the noun fidelity and the noun faith.