staunch Meaning & Definition
What Does Staunch Mean?
Staunch is an adjective that means Not permitting water or some other liquid to escape or penetrate; watertight. Impermeable to air or other gases; airtight. It can also mean Impermeable to air or other gases; airtight. As a verb, it means Alternative spelling of stanch. As a noun, it means That which stanches or checks a flow. A plant or substance which stops the flow of blood; a styptic.
Staunch at a Glance
| Part of speech | adjective, verb, noun |
|---|---|
| Pronunciation | /stɔːn(t)ʃ/ |
| Synonyms | steadfast, constant and stem |
| Plural | staunches |
| Comparative / superlative | stauncher, staunchest |
| Verb forms | staunches, staunching, staunched |
Staunch Definition (Adjective)
- Not permitting water or some other liquid to escape or penetrate; watertight. Impermeable to air or other gases; airtight.
- Impermeable to air or other gases; airtight.
- Strongly built; also, in good or strong condition.
- Staying true to one's aims or principles; firm, resolute, unswerving.
Without our staunch front line the enemy would have split the regiment.
- Dependable, loyal, reliable, trustworthy.
He’s been a staunch supporter of mine through every election.
- Of a hunting dog: that can be depended on to pick up the scent of, or to mark, game.
- Cautious, restrained.
- Stubborn, intransigent.
Staunch as a Verb
- Alternative spelling of stanch.
Staunch as a Noun
- That which stanches or checks a flow. A plant or substance which stops the flow of blood; a styptic.
- A plant or substance which stops the flow of blood; a styptic.
- An act of stanching or stopping.
- Synonym of afterdamp (“suffocating gases present in a coal mine after an explosion caused by firedamp”).
Noun
- Alternative spelling of stanch (“a floodgate by which water is accumulated, for floating a boat over a shallow part of a stream by its release; also, a dam or lock in a river”).
Verb
- To stop the flow of (blood).
- To stop, check, or deter an action.
Somebody's got to staunch those press leaks!
Adjective
- Loyal, trustworthy, reliable.
He's been a staunch supporter of mine through every election.
- Dependable, persistent.
Without our staunch front line the enemy would have split the regiment.
Synonyms of Staunch
Staunch synonyms and antonyms →Staunch in a Sentence
Without our staunch front line the enemy would have split the regiment.
He’s been a staunch supporter of mine through every election.
Somebody's got to staunch those press leaks!
He's been a staunch supporter of mine through every election.
Word Forms & Grammar
staunch (comparative stauncher, superlative staunchest)
staunch (third-person singular simple present staunches, present participle staunching, simple past and past participle staunched)
staunch (plural staunches)
Words That Rhyme With Staunch
Origin of Staunch
Origin 1: From Middle English staunch, staunche (“(adjective) in good condition or repair; solidly made, firm; watertight; of a person or wound: not bleeding; certain; intact; (adverb) firmly, soundly”) [and other forms],[1] from Anglo-Norman estaunche, Old French estanche (“firm; watertight”) (modern French étanche (“airtight; watertight”)), a variant of estanc (“a pond”),[2] from estanchier (“to stop the flow of a liquid (blood, water, etc.); to make (something) watertight; to quench (thirst)”) (modern French étancher), possibly from one of the following:
Origin 2: From Middle English staunchen, staunche (“to stop the flow of blood, diarrhoea, or other bodily fluids; to alleviate, ease; to appease, assuage, satisfy; to cure; to overcome; to put an end to; to repress, suppress; of a river or stream: to stop flowing; of waters, wind, or weather: to become calm, subside; to extinguish or put out (a fire)”) [and other forms],[4] from Anglo-Norman estauncher, estaunchier, estanger, Old French estancher, estanchier (verb) [and other forms];[3] see further at etymology 1 and at stanch.
Origin 3: Either:[5]
Origin 4: See stanch (etymology 4).
Staunch: Your Questions Answered
Is staunch an adjective or a verb?
Staunch is mainly used as an adjective, but it can also be used as a verb and a noun.
What is another word for staunch?
Words with a similar meaning to staunch include steadfast, constant and stem. See the full list of staunch synonyms and antonyms.
What is the plural of staunch?
The plural of staunch is staunches.
What is the past tense of staunch?
The past tense of staunch is staunched. The present participle is staunching.
What are the comparative and superlative forms of staunch?
The comparative form is stauncher and the superlative form is staunchest.