valor
Americannoun
Synonym Usage
See courage.
Etymology
Origin of valor
1350–1400; Middle English valo ( u ) r < Anglo-French; Middle French valeur < Late Latin valōr-, stem of valor worth, equivalent to Latin val ( ēre ) to be of worth + -or -or 1
Explanation
Valor is honor plus dignity. It’s gallant bravery and strength, especially on the battlefield or in the face of danger. Saint George displayed valor when he finally slayed the dragon. It’s a trait fit for a hero. Valor comes from the Latin valorem for “strength, moral worth,” with the sense of “courage” added later. Valor is often displayed in the face of something designed to crush it, like a battle in a war, and it is often rewarded with the conferring of a medal. Valor is a word associated with war heroes and knights of yore, but anyone who faces death and doesn’t look away displays valor.
Vocabulary lists containing valor
Veterans Day Vocabulary
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"The Odyssey" by Homer, Books 1–7
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The Things They Carried
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Perhaps the biggest winner will be Musk’s old pal, Antonio Gracias, who runs Valor Equity Partners out of Chicago.
From Barron's • May 29, 2026
Naphat, 29, was expelled from the Games in December for "using unauthorised third-party software or hardware modification" during the Arena of Valor competition, a letter from a SEA Games delegate said at the time.
From Barron's • Mar. 17, 2026
In December the event included competitions in four categories: FC Online, Mobile Legends: Bang Bang, Free Fire and Arena of Valor, a multiplayer online battle game.
From Barron's • Mar. 17, 2026
Valor has designed reusable ligands for 10 elements, including gold, copper, platinum, nickel and a number of otherwise difficult-to-isolate rare earths, including cerium, dysprosium and yttrium.
From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 11, 2026
Nina closed her eyes, and I slowly recited the first ten lines of Ve Valor a Sartane.
From "The Name of the Wind" by Patrick Rothfuss
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
