Can Staunch Be Used as an Adjective?

Staunch is more often found as an adjective (it has several meanings in this role, including “watertight,” “substantial,” and “steadfast in loyalty or principle”). Stanch more often will be found used as a verb.

Is staunch an adjective?

As an adjective, staunch means firm. ... The adjectival form should make you think of "stand," as in “stand firm,” or "take a stand." It comes from the French estanche meaning “watertight” and the Latin stanticare, which is probably from stans for “stand.”

Is it staunch or stanch?

“Staunch,” in standard American English, is supposed to be an adjective meaning “faithful” or “steadfast,” as in “France remains a staunch ally of the U.S.” “Stanch” is supposed to be a verb meaning “to stop the flow.”