What does soothfast mean?
Soothfast is an archaic adjective meaning truthful, faithful, and dependable. It is especially associated with speech that can be trusted, such as an honest account, testimony, or witness, although the word can also describe a person whose promises and principles are steadfast. Its literary sound comes from combining an older term for truth with an older sense of firm or secure. The word is rarely used in modern standard English, appearing chiefly in historical texts, poetry, fantasy writing, and deliberately formal or archaic prose. In such contexts, soothfast conveys more than simple accuracy: it suggests moral reliability and constancy as well. It is therefore close to truthful, honest, and faithful, but has a distinctly old-fashioned dignity that those modern alternatives generally lack.
adjectiveArchaic: truthful, faithful, or dependable; genuinely true.
- Truthful or faithful, especially in speech or conduct.
"The knight's soothfast account of the journey convinced the entire court."
"Her soothfast testimony reassured the investigators."
"The old poem presents a soothfast knight whose promises are never broken."
Soothfast is an old-fashioned double proof of reliability: both truthful and steadfast.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does soothfast come from?
Soothfast is a Middle English compound formed from sooth, meaning truth or reality, and fast, meaning firm, secure, or steadfast. The combination originally expressed the idea of being true and firm, especially in relation to speech or promises. Its modern form and meaning continued in literary and archaic usage after the separate older spellings and meanings of its components became uncommon.
How soothfast is actually used
Now chiefly literary, archaic, or historical. It is more common in older texts than in contemporary speech and can sound formal or deliberately antiquarian.