How to Spell Loyalty

  • Eseandre Mordi

  • 16 Feb 2024

Loyalty is a word that often appears in everyday communication, demonstrating commitment or faithfulness to a person, group, or cause. This article aims to clarify the correct spelling of this commonly used term, diving into its orthography, mnemonic devices for remembering its spelling, common errors, and more.

Correct Spelling of Loyalty

The correct spelling of the keyword is loyalty. It consists of seven letters and combines the root word 'loyal' with the suffix 'ty', which is common in English nouns expressing states or conditions. Remembering that loyalty is derived from 'loyal' can help clarify its correct spelling.

How can remember the correct spelling

A helpful technique to memorize the spelling of loyalty is by breaking it down into its two main components: 'loyal' and 'ty'. You can also associate the word with a personal story or mnemonic that emphasizes its meaning, such as "show your LOYALTY by sticking by your friends, as true as the ties (TY) that bind."

Common Spelling Mistakes

  • Loialty - Missing the 'y' in the root word 'loyal'.
  • Loyality - Incorrectly inserting an 'i' before the 'ty' suffix.
  • Loyaltye - Adding an unnecessary 'e' at the end.

These errors usually stem from phonetic confusion or overapplication of spelling rules from other words. Remember, the correct spelling is straightforward: loyalty.

Definition and Etymology of Loyalty

Loyalty refers to the quality of being loyal; a strong feeling of support or allegiance. Its origins can be traced back to the Old French word 'loialte', which comes from 'loial', meaning legal or loyal. This, in turn, derives from the Latin 'legalis', reflecting its deep historical roots in legality and allegiance.

Transcription of Loyalty

The standard pronunciation of loyalty in American English can be transcribed as /ˈlɔɪəlti/. It has three syllables, with the stress placed on the first syllable 'LOY'. The ending '-ty' is pronounced as /ti/, making the overall pronunciation easy to grasp for English speakers.

Examples of Using Loyalty

  • Her loyalty to her friends was unquestionable, even in tough times.
  • The company rewarded the employee's loyalty with a significant promotion.
  • Loyalty is a valued trait in both personal and professional relationships.

FAQ

What does the word mean? 
Loyalty refers to the quality of being loyal or having a strong allegiance to someone or something.

Words Closely Related: faithfulness, allegiance, fidelity.

Synonyms: devotion, faithfulness, fealty.

There is no difference in the spelling of loyalty between American and British English. The word is spelled the same in both varieties of English, showcasing the universality of its spelling and meaning across English-speaking regions.

In which academic dictionaries you can find this word

  1. Oxford English Dictionary.
  2. Merriam-Webster Dictionary.
  3. Cambridge Dictionary.


#Loyalty #Spelling #EnglishGrammar #Vocabulary

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