a person who is loyal; a supporter of the sovereign or of the existing government, especially in time of revolt.
(sometimes initial capital letter) a person who remained loyal to the British during the American Revolution; Tory.
(initial capital letter) an adherent of the republic during the Spanish Civil War, opposed to Franco.
(in Northern Ireland) any of the Protestants wishing to retain Ulster's link with Britain
(in North America) an American colonist who supported Britain during the War of American Independence
(in Canada) short for United Empire Loyalist
(during the Spanish Civil War) a supporter of the republican government
How does loyalist compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:
In politics, a loyalist is someone who stays faithful to a party or government even during times of upheaval and revolt. During America's colonial era, loyalists supported British rule. Today in the U.K., someone who's described as a loyalist is typically a supporter of political union between Northern Ireland and Great Britain. This term is often used during times of upheaval in various countries, to talk about those who remain loyal to an established government. It's been used this way since at least the 17th century — but if your favorite childhood movie gets a terrible remake, feel free to say you're a loyalist to the original version.
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Macron has already appointed another loyalist, Richard Ferrand, to head the country's highest constitutional authority.
From Barron's • May 5, 2026
Kiki Monique considers herself a Delta Air Lines loyalist after flying with the carrier for more than a decade.
From MarketWatch • Apr. 10, 2026
On 3 March, a government rally marked two months since Maduro's arrest, with crowds donning T‑shirts bearing his face, repeating loyalist slogans.
From BBC • Mar. 17, 2026
Samary arrived just ahead of Gomina, his loyalist commander, at QRF headquarters, a base fortified by guard towers and razor wire.
From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 12, 2026
“They knew the risks of coming with me when we left the Orleans. There were always safer options than crewing with an old loyalist like me.”
From "Ship Breaker" by Paolo Bacigalupi
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
