leal

loyal, faithful

adjective leh-AHL Rare

Origin: Latin legalis (legal)

Usage Note

Leal describes deep, steadfast loyalty to a person, cause, or institution — stronger in connotation than fiel (faithful), which can apply to smaller-scale faithfulness. The noun is lealtad (loyalty). Leal tends to collocate with relationships of duty or allegiance: un amigo leal (a loyal friend), un súbdito leal (a loyal subject). The plural is leales, without an accent change.

Examples

"Es un amigo leal que nunca te fallará."

Natural Translation

He is a loyal friend who will never let you down.

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