troth

Troth is a noun in English that denotes truthfulness, fidelity, or loyalty. In historical and literary usage, it has also referred to a pledge of fidelity, most prominently a marriage vow, and to truth as a quality of reliable character.

The word derives from Old English treowþ, meaning fidelity or truth, and is related to treow, meaning faithful, as well as to the modern words truth and true. The sense of a pledged, steadfast loyalty is central to its historic meaning.

In archaic or poetic usage, troth appears in phrases such as the plighting of troth, or to plighte one’s troth, meaning to pledge a marriage or vow of fidelity. The expression in troth means in truth or indeed. In contemporary writing, troth is largely reserved for stylistic or historical contexts.

Today troth is considered archaic or literary outside of specialized settings. It is most often encountered in discussions of medieval culture, classic literature, or fantasy fiction that seeks to evoke historical language. The term emphasizes steadfastness, honor, and the binding nature of a vow, rather than casual honesty.

Related concepts include truth, fidelity, loyalty, and vow. The phrase plighting of troth remains the clearest historical reference to a formal pledge of marriage and mutual fidelity.