being faithful

Meanings

1. 1phrase

   Staying sexually and romantically loyal to your partner.

   Grammar: Often followed by 'to': being faithful to your husband.

   Patterns

   • being faithful to somebody
   • remain faithful

   Being faithful to your partner is a basic promise in most marriages.

   He said being faithful meant more to him than anything else.

   They talked about what being faithful means to each of them.

2. 2phrase

   Continuing to support someone or something and not changing your loyalty.

   Grammar: Used with 'to': being faithful to a friend or a cause.

   Patterns

   • being faithful to somebody
   • being faithful to something

   Being faithful to your friends matters more than being popular.

   She stayed faithful to the team even when they kept losing.

   Being faithful to your principles can be hard.

3. 3phrasereligion

   Following the rules and teachings of a religion closely.

   Grammar: Often used of religious practice: being faithful in prayer.

   Patterns

   • being faithful in something
   • being faithful to a faith

   Being faithful in prayer gave her strength.

   He was faithful to the traditions of his community.

   Being faithful is central to many religious lives.

4. 4phrase

   Being accurate and true to the original facts or source.

   Grammar: Used with 'to': being faithful to the original text.

   Patterns

   • being faithful to something

   The film is praised for being faithful to the novel.

   Being faithful to the facts is essential in journalism.

Common combinations

remain faithful

They promised to remain faithful to each other.

being faithful to somebody

Being faithful to somebody you love takes effort.

stay faithful

He stayed faithful during the long separation.

being faithful to the original

The translation is admired for being faithful to the original.

Synonyms and how they differ

loyal

Focuses on steady support; it does not usually carry the sexual meaning that 'faithful' has in relationships.

devoted

Suggests strong love and commitment; 'faithful' stresses not betraying someone.

true

In phrases like 'stay true to', it is close in meaning but more literary.

Opposites

Word family

faith noun

Trust or belief, especially religious belief.

faithfully adverb

In a loyal or accurate way.

faithfulness noun

The quality of being loyal or accurate.

Commonly confused: being faithful or faithful vs. faithfuls?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “being faithful”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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