Definition

Proper noun 1. A specific, famous geyser: "Old Faithful" is the name of a specific, renowned geyser located in Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming, USA. It is famous for its highly predictable, regular eruptions.

Examples of Usage

• Proper noun:
  • We waited patiently to see Old Faithful erupt.
  • The park ranger announced the predicted eruption time for Old Faithful.
  • Visiting Yellowstone and missing Old Faithful would be a shame.

Advanced Usage

• Metaphorical use: While "Old Faithful" is a proper name, it is sometimes used metaphorically to describe any person, machine, or system that is extremely reliable and consistent over a long period.
  • My 1998 pickup truck is the Old Faithful of the family; it never breaks down.
  • She's the Old Faithful of the department, always completing her reports on time.

Variants and Related Words

• Geyser (n): A hot spring that intermittently ejects a column of water and steam into the air.
• Faithful (adj): Loyal, constant, or steadfast. (This is the adjective from which the geyser's name is derived, describing its reliable nature).

Synonyms

• Reliable geyser (descriptive synonym, not a name)
• Predictable geyser (descriptive synonym, not a name)

Related Idioms

• (As) regular as clockwork: This idiom shares the meaning of predictable regularity associated with Old Faithful.
  • His daily routine is as regular as clockwork.
• (As) steady as a rock: This idiom conveys the reliability and dependability associated with the geyser's metaphorical use.
  • You can depend on her; she's as steady as a rock.

Noun

1. a geyser in Yellowstone National Park that erupts for about 4 minutes about every 65 minutes