Words / C1

fi-DEL-uh-tee/fɪˈdeləti/

Fidelity is faithfulness to a person, duty, or original text, or the accuracy of a copy or recording: marital fidelity, fidelity to a protocol, high-fidelity audio. Loyalty is the everyday cousin; accuracy is the copy twin; infidelity is the usual opposite in relationships. Do not “improve” a quote and claim fidelity to the protocol.

Meaning

Faithfulness to a person, duty, or original; also accuracy of a copy or recording.

Examples

• “Fidelity to the protocol means keeping the embargo, not “improving” the quote.”
• “Loyalty is everyday. Accuracy is the technical twin. Faithfulness is close. A tidier sentence is still an edit. Embargo text is the original. Quote it; do not upgrade it for tone.”

Good to know

Faithfulness / accuracy of a copy. Everyday: loyalty. Contrast: a tidied quote. The embargo is the original, not a draft for polish.

Near in meaning

loyalty

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