true blue

¹

noun

1. a nonfading blue dye or pigment.
2. a person who is true-blue.
3. (in the 17th century) the color adopted by the Covenanters in contradistinction to the royal red.

true-blue

²

[ troo-bloo ]

adjective

1. unwaveringly loyal or faithful; staunch; unchangingly true.

true-blue

adjective

1. unwaveringly or staunchly loyal, esp to a person, a cause, etc

noun

1. a staunch royalist or Conservative

Word History and Origins

Origin of true blue¹

First recorded in 1665–75

Origin of true blue²

First recorded in 1665–75; origin uncertain; perhaps associated with the Covenanters (Scottish Presbyterians) of the 17th century, whose flag, a white St. Andrew’s Cross on a blue field (still the national flag of Scotland), was in opposition to the red scarves of the Royalist cavalry

Idioms and Phrases

Loyal, faithful, as in You can count on her support; she's true blue . This expression alludes to the idea of blue being the color of constancy, but the exact allusion is disputed. One theory holds it alludes to the unchanging blue sky, another to the fastness of a blue dye that will not run. Blue has been the identifying color of various factions in history. In the mid-1600s the Scottish Covenanters, who pledged to uphold Presbyterianism, were called true blue (as opposed to red , the color of the royalists). In the 1800s the same term came to mean “staunchly Tory,” and in America, “politically sound.”

Example Sentences

“It’s been crazy. You think about, yes, I’m a Laker, but I’m a true blue Dodger, too. Hopefully, one day they will win it again, but right now the city is owned, today, by the Dodgers.”

From Los Angeles Times

The ACC already is feeling slighted after Florida State, a true blue blood with three national championships on its resume, was snubbed by the CFP selection committee last year after star quarterback Jordan Travis was injured.

From Seattle Times

From graceful, reflexed forms to showy parrot types with ruffled petals, the blooms flaunt a rainbow of colors — except true blue.

From Seattle Times

Whatley is a true blue, "Stop the Steal" election denier who's been sowing mistrust in the electoral system for many years.

From Salon

“They say you have to move through it, and I think that’s literally true,” Blue says.

From Seattle Times