Use fidelity for loyalty that holds because of a promise, duty, vow, or deep commitment, not for casual liking or ordinary reliability.
Use fidelity for loyalty that holds because of a promise, duty, vow, or deep commitment, not for casual liking or ordinary reliability.
| Incorrect | Correct |
| He is fidelity to his wife. | He is faithful to his wife. |
| She fidelity her friends. | She is faithful to her friends. |
| The team showed fidelity for the old agreement. | The team showed fidelity to the old agreement. |
| Their fidelity was high because they met often. | Their loyalty was strong because they met often. |
Use fidelity for how faithfully something represents its source, as in audio quality, image reproduction, simulation realism, translation, or data copying.
| Incorrect | Correct |
| The speaker has high fidelity because it is expensive. | The speaker has high fidelity because it reproduces the recording accurately. |
| The fidelity of the contract is high. | The fidelity of the translation is high. |
| We need to fidelity the data before release. | We need to preserve the fidelity of the data before release. |
| The simulation's fidelity is beautiful. | The simulation's fidelity is high. |
Use fidelity when faithfulness is the central idea, either moral loyalty to an obligation or exact faithfulness to an original.
Fidelity is a noun, so forms like to fidelity the data or he is fidelity need preserve fidelity or faithful instead.
From Middle English and Middle French fidelite, from Latin fidelitas, built on fidelis meaning faithful, loyal, or trustworthy.
What does fidelity mean?
Fidelity means faithful loyalty to a person, duty, promise, or partner, or close accuracy to an original source.
Does fidelity mean loyalty?
Yes. In its loyalty sense, fidelity suggests steady faithfulness to a vow, duty, relationship, cause, or obligation.
What is marital fidelity?
Marital fidelity is faithfulness within a marriage, often meaning sexual exclusiveness and loyalty to the marriage vows.
What does fidelity mean in audio?
In audio, fidelity is the accuracy with which equipment or a recording reproduces the original sound.
Is fidelity the same as accuracy?
In copies, models, translations, and recordings, fidelity is a kind of accuracy, especially faithfulness to a source.
Can fidelity be used as a verb?
No. Fidelity is a noun, so use phrases such as preserve fidelity, ensure fidelity, or be faithful.
What is the opposite of fidelity?
For loyalty, the opposite of fidelity is infidelity, disloyalty, or betrayal. For accuracy, it is distortion or inaccuracy.
Where does fidelity come from?
Fidelity comes through French from Latin words connected with being faithful, loyal, trustworthy, and true.