valedictorian

American  

[val-i-dik-tawr-ee-uhn, -tohr-] / ˌvæl ɪ dɪkˈtɔr i ən, -ˈtoʊr- /

noun

1. a student, usually the one ranking highest academically in a school graduating class, who delivers the valedictory at the commencement exercises.

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valedictorian British  

/ ˌvælɪdɪkˈtɔːrɪən /

adjective

1. saying goodbye

2. of or relating to a farewell or an occasion of farewell

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noun

1. a person, usually the most outstanding graduate, who delivers a farewell speech at a graduation ceremony

Etymology

Origin of valedictorian

An Americanism dating back to 1750–60; valedictory + -an

Compare meaning

How does valedictorian compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• valedictorian vs. salutatorian

Explanation

The valedictorian is usually the student with the highest grades in a class. If the valedictorian of your class is someone you like and admire, you'll enjoy listening to her graduation speech. At a high school or university graduation, the valedictorian traditionally gives a farewell speech, called a valedictory. This person is almost always the student in the class with the very best academic record. The origin of the word valedictorian is the Latin valedicere, which means "bid farewell." Valedicere in turn comes from valere, "be well," and dicere, "to say."

Example Sentences

After graduating as the valedictorian of her high school, she won a scholarship to attend what is now Virginia State University.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 26, 2026

Several students also criticized the administration’s decision to not name a valedictorian — or let that person speak.

From Los Angeles Times • May 16, 2025

“A culture that celebrates the prom queen over the math olympiad champ, or the jock over the valedictorian, will not produce the best engineers,” the billionaire added.

From Salon • Dec. 27, 2024

As a teenager, Mr Mangione attended a private all-boys school in Maryland, where he was class valedictorian, a title usually awarded to students with the best grades.

From BBC • Dec. 9, 2024

I was selected as valedictorian of my class and assigned to write a paper to be delivered at one of the public auditoriums.

From "Black Boy" by Richard Wright