I. ˈlȯi(ə)l ˈlȯ(i)yəl adjective
( sometimes -er/-est )
Etymology: Middle French, from Old French loial, leial, from Latin legalis legal, of or relating to law — more at legal
1.
a. : faithful to the lawful government or to the sovereign to whom one is subject : unswerving in allegiance
the army remains loyal
no one can be hired until the administrator certifies that the individual is loyal to the United States — Arthur Schlesinger b. 1917
there is no loyaler subject of Her Grace than myself — J.H.Wheelwright
b. : faithful and devoted to a private person ; especially : faithful to a person to whom fidelity is held to be due
gentle, solicitous, and loyal slaves — Margaret Leech
a loyal husband
2. : displaying or reflecting loyalty
explained with a loyal little sob — Elinor Wylie
loyal utterances
3. : faithful or tenacious in adherence to a cause, ideal, practice, or custom
a very loyal churchgoer
loyal in habits and attitudes to a vanished age — J.W.Krutch
the Syrians … are still loyal to milk, butter, cheese, and lamb — American Guide Series: Rhode Island
4. obsolete : lawful , legitimate
Synonyms: see faithful
II. noun
( -s )
: a loyal subject or follower — usually used in plural
those he considers to be his true-blue loyals — Time