stalwart

¹

[ stawl-wert ]

adjective

1. strongly and stoutly built; sturdy and robust.
2. strong and brave; valiant:

   a stalwart knight.

3. firm, steadfast, or uncompromising:

   a stalwart supporter of the U.N.

noun

1. a physically stalwart person.
2. a steadfast or uncompromising partisan:

   They counted on the party stalwarts for support in the off-year campaigns.

Stalwart

²

[ stawl-wert ]

noun

1. a conservative Republican in the 1870s and 1880s, especially one opposed to civil service and other reforms during the administrations of presidents Rutherford B. Hayes and James A. Garfield.

stalwart

/ ˈstɔːlwət /

adjective

1. strong and sturdy; robust
2. solid, dependable, and courageous

   stalwart citizens

3. resolute and firm

noun

1. a stalwart person, esp a supporter

Derived Forms

• ˈstalwartness, noun
• ˈstalwartly, adverb

Other Words From

• stalwart·ly adverb
• stalwart·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of stalwart¹

First recorded in 1325–75; Middle English (Scots), variant of stalward, earlier stalwurthe; stalworth

Word History and Origins

Origin of stalwart¹

Old English stǣlwirthe serviceable, from stǣl , shortened from stathol support + wierthe worth ¹

Example Sentences

It is a stalwart presence, a swaggering presence, a saving presence.

From Los Angeles Times

Like all who dropped down before them, they've struggled to adjust to life in the Lowland League, the fifth tier of Scottish football, but are managed by a stalwart of the game in Sandy Clark.

From BBC

Sure, he was a New York Yankees stalwart throughout the postseason.

From Los Angeles Times

Dodgers fans like Weaver with namesakes on the Bronx Bombers are in a bit of a pickle this fall, caught between the team they support and the American League stalwart whose name they share.

From Los Angeles Times

He was also a stalwart on punt units, playing 65 combined snaps on coverage and return teams, according to Pro Football Focus.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• dependable
• fearless
• indomitable
• intrepid
• redoubtable
• staunch
• stout
• tenacious
• vigorous