faithfully

American  

[feyth-fuh-lee] / ˈfeɪθ fə li /

adverb

1. in a strict or thorough way.

   This plan was faithfully carried out to the last detail.

2. remaining true to one’s promises, allegiance, affection, or beliefs; loyally.

   The old man lived as faithfully as he could, always trying to set an example for younger members of his church.

3. in a way that is reliable and can be trusted or believed.

   The plant will die back to the ground during a hard freeze; however, it faithfully returns in spring.

   In accepting taxpayer funds, the recipient agrees to faithfully account for all monies received from the county.

4. in a way that adheres to fact, a standard, or an original.

   The tribute band tries to faithfully reproduce the sound, style, arrangement, and instrumentation of the original artist’s recordings.

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Other Word Forms

• overfaithfully
  adverb
• pseudofaithfully
  adverb
• quasi-faithfully
  adverb

Etymology

Origin of faithfully

faithful ( def. ) + -ly

Explanation

To act faithfully is to behave in a dependable and honorable way. A dog who waits faithfully outside your school until you get out of class is devoted and trustworthy. The adverb faithfully describes an action or behavior that's faithful — in other words, it's steadfast, loyal and reliable. An actor's parents might faithfully attend every play he's in, no matter how small his role is. Your devout uncle might faithfully attend church every single Sunday. In both examples, a person is dependable. The earliest meaning of faithfully was "acting in a way full of (religious) faith," or being pious, especially as a Christian.

Example Sentences

Faithfully adapted into an excellent Hulu limited series, the panoramic tale hewed closely to the details of Hunter’s own improbable family history, highlighting instances of fortitude, resourcefulness and luck.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 24, 2025

Videos posted on social media at the weekend show Gooding at the Manhattan bar singing the Journey hit Faithfully and posing for pictures with fans.

From The Guardian • Jun. 13, 2019

Previously released video posted on social media shows Gooding at Magic Hour on Sunday night singing the Journey hit "Faithfully" and posing for pictures with fans.

From Fox News • Jun. 13, 2019

I got a telegram from the House Judiciary Committee: “You’re subpoenaed. June 19. Faithfully yours.”

From Slate • May 26, 2019

Faithfully, I wrote down all that they said.

From "Hunger of Memory" by Richard Rodriguez

Related Words

• conscientiously