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Fidelity

n. resilient, thoughtful formal

What it means

Meaning 1

Steady loyalty to a person, duty, or principle.

Reach for it when praising constancy when a commitment is tested over time

Her fidelity to the cooperative's mission guided every difficult decision.

Meaning 2

Accuracy with which a copy, account, or signal preserves its original.

Reach for it when judging how truthfully a reproduction retains important detail

The recording captured the old piano with remarkable fidelity.

Words to choose between 7

By register, from playful at the top to literary at the bottom, and by meaning across. Tap a word to see when it fits.
Meaning 1Meaning 2
everyday
warm
professional
formal
literary

Meaning 1: Steady loyalty to a person, duty, or principle.

  • everyday

    loyalty

    Fits when allegiance to a person or group is the plain meaning

    Careful Loyalty can persist from habit rather than principled faithfulness.

  • warm

    devotion

    Fits when affection and personal dedication motivate the commitment

    Careful Devotion is more emotional than fidelity to a procedure.

  • formal

    faithfulness

    Fits when reliable observance of a bond or promise is central

    Careful Faithfulness may carry religious or marital associations.

  • literary

    steadfastness

    Fits when pressure fails to weaken adherence

    Careful Steadfastness can concern resolve without any relationship.

Meaning 2: Accuracy with which a copy, account, or signal preserves its original.

  • everyday

    faithful reproduction

    Fits when the copy retains the original's essential qualities

    Careful A reproduction may be faithful without high technical resolution.

  • professional

    accuracy

    Fits when correct detail matters more than overall resemblance

    Careful Accuracy can preserve facts while losing tone or character.

  • professional

    signal quality

    Fits when technical clarity in transmission is being measured

    Careful Signal quality includes noise and strength beyond fidelity alone.

Opposites 4

  • disloyalty
  • betrayal
  • infidelity
  • distortion

Common phrases 3

  • fidelity to principle

    Fidelity to principle kept the mediator from accepting favors.

  • high fidelity

    High fidelity lets listeners hear the room around the quartet.

  • historical fidelity

    The costume balances historical fidelity with safe movement.

Definitions and examples are written for this site. How words are chosen Recording: Vealhurl, Southern England accent, from Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0 Updated