adj.
Pronunciation: ' lo ̇ i(- ə )l
Function: adjective
Etymology: Middle French, from Old French leial, leel, from Latin legalis legal
Date: 1531
1 : unswerving in allegiance: as a : faithful in allegiance to one's lawful sovereign or government b : faithful to a private person to whom fidelity is due c : faithful to a cause, ideal, custom, institution, or product
2 : showing loyalty
3 obsolete : LAWFUL , LEGITIMATE
synonyms see FAITHFUL
– loy · al · ly \ ' lo ̇ i- ə -l ē \ adverb