Meaning & use
loyally
Last updated
UK/ˈlɔɪəli/
US/ˈlɔɪəli/
Meaning
adverbnot comparable
In a way that shows steady support and faithfulness to a person, group or cause.
Grammar: Usually follows a verb: served loyally.
Patterns
- serve someone loyally
- stand loyally by someone
She served the company loyally for thirty years.
The dog waited loyally at the gate every evening.
He supported his team loyally, even in the worst seasons.
Common combinations
- serve loyally
- The soldier served loyally until retirement.
- stand loyally by
- They stood loyally by their friend.
- follow loyally
- Fans follow the club loyally.
- work loyally
- He worked loyally for the family.
Synonyms and how they differ
- faithfully
- Faithfully is very close but often stresses keeping promises, while loyally stresses support.
- devotedly
- Devotedly adds strong affection, whereas loyally is calmer.
- dutifully
- Dutifully suggests doing what is required, not necessarily out of feeling.
- steadfastly
- Steadfastly stresses not changing, often under pressure.
Opposites
disloyallytreacherously
Word family
Commonly confused: loyally or royally?
loyally vs royally
Royally means in a royal way or very much so, as in royally annoyed; it is not the same as loyally.
Practice
The assistant ___ stayed with the firm even when it was losing money.
Choose one answer.
Loyally means faithfully. Royally changes the meaning, and lonely and loosely do not make sense here.
Make it your own
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