steadfast
/ˈstɛd.fæst/
Definition
Firmly committed to a person, belief, or goal, and unlikely to change. Someone who is steadfast stays loyal and determined no matter what.
Example
She remained steadfast in her decision despite the pressure.
Show translation
She stayed firm in her decision even when others pushed back.
Etymology
From Old English *stedefæst*, a compound of *stede* ("place, position") and *fæst* ("firmly fixed"). The original sense was literally "fixed in one's place" — immovable, like a post driven into the ground — and gradually broadened to describe unwavering loyalty or resolve by the 13th century.
Cultural note
*Steadfast* carries a notably noble, even heroic connotation in English. It appears frequently in religious and military contexts — think of hymns like "Stand Up, Stand Up for Jesus" or eulogies praising a soldier's steadfast courage. Hans Christian Andersen's fairy tale *The Steadfast Tin Soldier* (1838) made the word iconic in children's literature, cementing its association with quiet, enduring bravery. In everyday modern speech it leans formal; saying someone is "steadfast" sounds weightier and more admiring than simply calling them "loyal."