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

Example Sentences

“Plus, if I switch schools, who’s going to compete with you for valedictorian?”

From Literature

Shahbazyan, who transferred from Chaminade after his sophomore year, is set to attend Stanford and still in the hunt to be valedictorian at Birmingham.

From Los Angeles Times

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

Fatoke, the valedictorian, became a certified nursing assistant at Worcester Tech high school, and is now in college on a pre-med track.

From The Wall Street Journal

Fernando and Osmin were both valedictorians of their high school, and each earned a merit scholarship that covered tuition and housing at Loyola University New Orleans.

From The Wall Street Journal