Main Entry: loy·al Pronunciation: 'loi(-&)l Function: adjective Etymology: Middle French, from Old French leial, leel, from Latin legalis legal 1 : unswerving in allegiance: as a : faithful in allegiance to one's lawful sovereign or government b : faithful to a private person to whom fidelity is due c : faithful to a cause, ideal, custom, institution, or product 2 : showing loyalty 3 obsolete : LAWFUL, LEGITIMATE synonym see FAITHFUL - loy·al·ly /'loi-&-lE/ adverb exerpt from a online dictionary