Fidelity
noun /fɪˈdɛlɪti/ — Faithfulness and loyalty — the quality of being exactly true to something.
Definition
Faithfulness to a person, cause, or commitment; also the degree of accuracy with which something is reproduced. Both meanings share the root: exact, true correspondence.
Beyond the definition
Fidelity is the most precise loyalty word. It doesn't just mean staying — it means remaining true, not drifting, not substituting something easier for the original commitment. It is faithfulness with standards.
Origin & history
Latin 'fidelitas' — from 'fidelis' (faithful, loyal), from 'fides' (faith, trust). The same root as 'confide,' 'confidence,' 'fiancé.' Trust and faithfulness share a language.
Example sentences
Illustrative sentences for learning, not verified community posts or sourced quotations.
The historian's fidelity to primary sources was what made her work trustworthy.
Fidelity in a relationship is not just about what you don't do — it's about actively choosing the person you chose.
He admired her fidelity to the project even when it stopped being fashionable.
How to use it
This entry uses a noun. Follow the examples for articles and singular or plural forms; not every noun takes “a” or “an.”
Choose “Fidelity” when the meaning fits your context: Faithfulness to a person, cause, or commitment; also the degree of accuracy with which something is reproduced. Both meanings share the root: exact, true correspondence.
Synonyms
faithfulness, loyalty, devotion, constancy
Antonyms
betrayal, infidelity, disloyalty
Related words
Questions about this word
What does "Fidelity" mean?
Fidelity is noun meaning: Faithfulness and loyalty — the quality of being exactly true to something.. Faithfulness to a person, cause, or commitment; also the degree of accuracy with which something is reproduced. Both meanings share the root: exact, true correspondence.
Where does the word "Fidelity" come from?
Latin 'fidelitas' — from 'fidelis' (faithful, loyal), from 'fides' (faith, trust). The same root as 'confide,' 'confidence,' 'fiancé.' Trust and faithfulness share a language.