salutatorian
Americannoun
Etymology
Origin of salutatorian
An Americanism dating back to 1840–50; salutatory + -an
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Explanation
A salutatorian is a graduate who finished with the second highest rank in his or her class. Only the valedictorian did better. Being the salutatorian of your graduating class is a great honor. Traditionally, the salutatorian gives the opening remarks at the graduation ceremony. So, just as a salutation is a greeting, a salutatorian is responsible for offering a formal greeting at the event. Having been a salutatorian looks great on a resume, as long as you spell it correctly.
Vocabulary lists containing salutatorian
A Graduation Lexicon
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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.
Kirby was the Mariners’ rookie salutatorian last year, but was vastly overshadowed by Rodriguez.
From Seattle Times ● Jul. 5, 2023
At Roosevelt’s ceremony Tuesday, class salutatorian Winston Page said that while each graduating class has had its own struggles, he doubted any other class had struggles “quite as unique as ours.”
From Washington Post ● Jun. 21, 2022
She ranked second in her class as the salutatorian.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 19, 2021
She also struggled initially with coursework, attempting to translate her Chicago secondary education, where she graduated as salutatorian, to the rigors of university work.
From The Guardian ● Jul. 31, 2020
“Before we end the ceremony, there are a few more parting words. The first are from your salutatorian, Tucker Beaumont.”
From "Made You Up" by Francesca Zappia
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.
