An adherent is someone who supports and follows a particular idea, belief system, leader, or cause. If you're an adherent of a philosophy, you believe in its principles and try to live by them. If you're an adherent of a person, you follow and support them loyally.

The word often appears when discussing religion, politics, or systems of thought. A scientist might be an adherent of a particular theory about how the universe works. A coach might have adherents who believe in her training methods. During the American Revolution, George Washington's adherents believed in the cause of independence and stuck with him through difficult times.

Being an adherent means more than casual agreement. It suggests genuine commitment and loyalty. You might like a sports team, but its true adherents follow it through losing seasons and never waver. You might think recycling is good, but adherents of environmental conservation make it a central part of how they live.

Adherents stick to their beliefs and don't easily abandon them. When you encounter adherent in your reading, it's signaling that someone has chosen their position thoughtfully and committed to it seriously.