faith

¹

[ feyth ]

noun

1. confidence or trust in a person or thing:

   faith in another's ability.

2. belief that is not based on proof:

   He had faith that the hypothesis would be substantiated by fact.

3. belief in God or in the doctrines or teachings of religion:

   the firm faith of the Pilgrims.

4. belief in anything, as a code of ethics, standards of merit, etc.:

   to be of the same faith with someone concerning honesty.

5. a system of religious belief:

   the Christian faith;

   the Jewish faith.

6. the obligation of loyalty or fidelity to a person, promise, engagement, etc.:

   Failure to appear would be breaking faith.

7. the observance of this obligation; fidelity to one's promise, oath, allegiance, etc.:

   He was the only one who proved his faith during our recent troubles.

8. Christian Theology. the trust in God and in His promises as made through Christ and the Scriptures by which humans are justified or saved.

Faith

²

[ feyth ]

noun

1. a female given name.

faith

/ feɪθ /

noun

1. strong or unshakeable belief in something, esp without proof or evidence
2. a specific system of religious beliefs

   the Jewish faith

3. Christianity trust in God and in his actions and promises
4. a conviction of the truth of certain doctrines of religion, esp when this is not based on reason
5. complete confidence or trust in a person, remedy, etc
6. any set of firmly held principles or beliefs
7. allegiance or loyalty, as to a person or cause (esp in the phrases keep faith , break faith )
8. bad faith
   insincerity or dishonesty
9. good faith
   honesty or sincerity, as of intention in business (esp in the phrase in good faith )

interjection

1. archaic.
   indeed; really (also in the phrases by my faith , in faith )

Other Words From

• multi·faith adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of faith¹

First recorded in 1200–50; Middle English feith, from Anglo-French fed, Old French feid, feit, from Latin fidem, accusative of fidēs “trust,” derivative of fīdere “to trust”; confide

Word History and Origins

Origin of faith¹

C12: from Anglo-French feid , from Latin fidēs trust, confidence

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. in faith, in truth; indeed:

   In faith, he is a fine lad.

More idioms and phrases containing faith

see act of faith ; in bad (good) faith ; leap of faith ; on faith ; pin one's hopes (faith) on .

Example Sentences

“He’s such a smart, detailed guy,” said Steele, a Nashville-based songwriter who’s had hits with Faith Hill, Tim McGraw, Rascal Flatts, LeAnn Rimes and others.

From Los Angeles Times

Getting messages about who to vote for from your pastor or faith leader, who you trust, is much more effective than getting that message from a stranger.

From Salon

“Matt will end Weaponized Government, protect our Borders, dismantle Criminal Organizations and restore Americans’ badly-shattered Faith and Confidence in the Justice Department.”

From Los Angeles Times

“Matt will end Weaponized Government, protect our Borders, dismantle Criminal Organizations and restore Americans’ badly-shattered Faith and Confidence in the Justice Department.”

From Salon

“I believe that he had good faith, but is he going to be fired for one incident when he’s done so many good things throughout his time as a teacher?”

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• church
• conviction
• denomination
• doctrine
• principle
• religion
• sect
• teaching