steadfast

UK/ˈstɛdfɑːst/US/ˈstɛdfæst/

adjectiveC2Very rare — outside the 30,000 commonest English words, so you will meet it in writing rather than in speech — steadfastness sits at #13,360neutralformal · an editor’s judgement

Steadfast means firm and unmoving in support, whatever comes. Loyal, and still there afterwards.

It is a compliment and a warm one, and it attaches to support, refusal and friendship, so a steadfast ally and a steadfast refusal are both admiring. The word is formal and slightly old-fashioned, which suits its subject. The adverb steadfastly usually attaches to refused. Unwavering does the same job, and both are about holding a position rather than about strength.

Definitions of steadfast

1adjectivesteadfastFirmly loyal or unwavering in purpose.C2
“She was steadfast in her support throughout.”

Also accepted in games: unwavering, loyal

Where it comes from

Proto-Indo-European
*steh₂-
Proto-Germanic
*stadifastuz
Old English
stedefæst
Middle English
stedefast
English, today
steadfast

From Middle English stedefast, from Old English stedefæst, from Proto-Germanic stadifastuz, equivalent to stead + fast. Cognate with Middle Dutch stedevast (“steadfast”), Icelandic staðfestur (“steadfast”), Danish stedfast (“firmly attached, secured”), Danish stadfæste (“to confirm; ratify”), Norwegian Nynorsk stadfesta (“confirm, ratify; establish”), Swedish stadfästa (“to confirm; establish”).

Etymology from Wiktionary, CC BY-SA

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