What does tory mean?
Tory originally named a member of the British political party that developed in the late 17th century and remained influential through the 18th century. The name became linked with monarchy, the established Church of England, landholding interests, and opposition to the Whigs. Although the historic party eventually gave way to the Conservative Party, tory survived as a broader and usually less formal word for a conservative or right-wing person. In contemporary British political language, it frequently carries a dismissive or hostile connotation and may suggest reaction, privilege, or attachment to an older social order. In Canada, Tory can be used comparatively neutrally as a synonym for conservative. The word is also sometimes used more generally for someone who favors traditional institutions, customs, or ideas. Its history is unusually vivid: a term associated with Irish rural resistance and the Jacobite era became one of the central labels in British party politics. Because of its political history, tory is usually more loaded than conservative.
A member of the historical British political party that favored royal authority, the established Church, and conservative policies; by extension, a conservative or right-wing person, often used disparagingly.
"The Tories defended the monarchy and the established church during the eighteenth century."
Historically, the noun is normally capitalized. In modern British usage, it is often derogatory, whereas Canadian usage can be comparatively neutral.
Conservative or right-wing, especially in modern political usage.
"Several newspapers described the proposed policy as a distinctly tory measure."
Modern adjectival use is often critical and is more common in informal or partisan political language.
The standard plural is Tories. The form is normally capitalized when referring to historical members of the British Tory party.
"The Tories won a narrow majority in the election."
From an Irish word associated with pursuit to the label that helped define Britain's party system, tory carries a long political history.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does tory come from?
The word is generally traced to Irish tóiríche, meaning “pursuer,” from tóir, “to pursue.” It entered English in connection with Irish supporters of James II and was later adopted as the name of the political party opposed to the Whigs. The closely related political terms Toryism and Toryite developed from the name in the 19th century.
Related word forms
How tory is actually used
Historically, Tory is usually capitalized, especially when referring to the British party or its members. Lowercase tory is more common in modern British usage and often sounds derogatory. In Canadian English, Tory can be used more neutrally for a conservative, while outside political contexts the word is generally dated or pejorative.