First Known Use: 15th century
Dictionary
1stalwart
adjective stal·wart \ˈstȯl-wərt\
: very loyal and dedicated
: physically strong
Full Definition of STALWART
: marked by outstanding strength and vigor of body, mind, or spirit <stalwart common sense>
— stal·wart·ly adverb
— stal·wart·ness noun
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Origin of STALWART
Middle English, alteration of stalworth, from Old English stǣlwierthe serviceable
Related to STALWART
- Synonyms
- bold, courageous, dauntless, doughty, fearless, gallant, greathearted, gutsy, gutty, heroic (also heroical), intrepid, lionhearted, manful, brave, stout, stouthearted, undauntable, undaunted, valiant, valorous
- Antonyms
- chicken, chickenhearted, chicken-livered, coward, cowardly, craven, dastardly, fainthearted, fearful, gutless, lily-livered, milk-livered [archaic], nerveless, poltroon, poor-spirited, pusillanimous, spineless, spiritless, timorous, uncourageous, ungallant, unheroic, weakhearted, yellow
Synonym Discussion of STALWART
strong, stout, sturdy, stalwart, tough, tenacious mean showing power to resist or to endure. strong may imply power derived from muscular vigor, large size, structural soundness, intellectual or spiritual resources <strong arms> <the defense has a strong case>. stout suggests an ability to endure stress, pain, or hard use without giving way <stout hiking boots>. sturdy implies strength derived from vigorous growth, determination of spirit, solidity of construction <a sturdy table> <people of sturdy independence>. stalwart suggests an unshakable dependability <stalwart environmentalists>. tough implies great firmness and resiliency <a tough political opponent>. tenacious suggests strength in seizing, retaining, clinging to, or holding together <tenacious farmers clinging to an age-old way of life>.
2stalwart
noun
: a loyal supporter
Full Definition of STALWART
1
: a stalwart person
2
: an unwavering partisan
See stalwart defined for English-language learners
First Known Use of STALWART
15th century
STALWART Defined for Kids
stalwart
adjective stal·wart \ˈstȯl-wərt\
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