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loyalty
/ˈlɔɪ.əl.ti/
faithful commitment
She showed her loyalty to the company by working there for 20 years.
Her long-term dedication demonstrates her commitment to the organization.
formal
the quality of being loyal; faithfulness to commitments or obligations
The dog's loyalty to its owner was unshakable, always following him everywhere.
The pet's unwavering devotion illustrates the emotional bond of loyalty.
Customer loyalty programs reward repeat buyers with discounts and perks.
Businesses use these strategies to encourage consistent patronage from clients.
Loyalty implies steadfast allegiance despite challenges or temptations to stray. In business contexts, it often refers to repeat customers or employee retention.
Collocations
loyalty programa marketing strategy to reward repeat customersshow loyaltydemonstrate faithfulness or commitmentundying loyaltyextreme or eternal faithfulness
Related Phrases
Pro Tip
Common Prepositions with 'Loyalty'
Use 'to' for people/organizations (loyalty to a country), 'in' for abstract concepts (loyalty in friendship), and 'for' in business contexts (loyalty for customers).
Gold Rule
Loyalty vs. Blind Obedience
Loyalty implies ethical alignment with values, while blind obedience may ignore wrongdoing. For example: 'She remained loyal to her principles' (positive) vs. 'He obeyed blindly' (negative).
Word Origin
From Middle English *loialte*, from Old French *loialté* (modern *loyauté*), derived from Latin *legalis* ('of the law'), ultimately from *lex* ('law'). The sense evolved from 'legal obligation' to 'faithful adherence to obligations' by the 15th century.
Usage Notes
Loyalty is often used in personal relationships (e.g., friends, family) and professional contexts (e.g., employees, customers). It carries a positive connotation but can imply blind obedience if overused. In modern contexts, 'brand loyalty' is a key marketing concept.
Word Breakdown
loyal
faithful or true
root-ty
state or quality of
suffixEnglish Dictionary