Definition

1. Noun:
   • A political conservative: A person who supports traditional political and social institutions and opposes radical change or reform.
   • A member of the British Conservative Party: A member of the major right-wing political party in Great Britain, formally named the Conservative Party since 1832, historically the opponent of the Whigs.
   • An American colonial loyalist: An American colonist who supported the British government and opposed independence during the American Revolution.

Usage Examples

• Noun (Political Conservative):
  • He is a staunch tory who believes in low taxes and a small government.
  • The policy was criticized by tories for being too progressive.
• Noun (British Party Member):
  • The local Tory MP will give a speech tonight. (Note: Often capitalized in this context).
  • She has been a lifelong Tory voter.
• Noun (American Loyalist):
  • During the war, many Tories had their property confiscated.
  • The Tory families fled to Canada after the revolution.

Advanced Usage

• "Toryism" (n): The principles or policies of the Tory party; political conservatism.
  • His philosophy is rooted in traditional Toryism.
• "Tory-led" (adj): Led by or dominated by the Conservative Party.
  • The Tory-led coalition government introduced the policy.
• "Red Tory" (n): (Chiefly Canadian) A member of a conservative party who holds some socially progressive or economically interventionist views.
  • He is considered a Red Tory, more moderate than his colleagues.

Variants and Related Words

• Tory (adj): Relating to the British Conservative Party or its policies.
  • The Tory government announced its budget.
• Toryism (n): (As above).
• Conservative (n/adj): A more general synonym for a person or philosophy favoring tradition and opposing rapid change; the formal name of the British Tory party.
• Loyalist (n): Specifically refers to an American colonist loyal to Britain; a synonym in the historical context.

Synonyms

• Conservative: A person averse to change and holding traditional values.
• Right-winger: A person who supports conservative or reactionary political views.
• Loyalist: (Historical) An American colonist who remained loyal to the British crown.

Related Phrases / Phrasal Verbs

(This word does not commonly form phrasal verbs. Its usage is primarily as a noun or adjective.)

Related Idioms

• "True blue Tory": A person who is an unwavering, traditional supporter of the Conservative Party.
  • He's not just a voter; he's a true blue Tory.
• "Tory boy": (British, informal, sometimes derogatory) A young man, especially from a privileged background, who is a stereotypical Conservative supporter.
  • The newspaper cartoon depicted the minister as an out-of-touch Tory boy.

Noun

1. a supporter of traditional political and social institutions against the forces of reform; a political conservative
2. a member of political party in Great Britain that has been known as the Conservative Party since 1832; was the opposition party to the Whigs
3. an American who favored the British side during the American Revolution