valiant
Americanadjective
-
boldly courageous; brave; stout-hearted.
a valiant soldier.
-
marked by or showing bravery or valor; heroic.
to make a valiant effort.
-
worthy; excellent.
adjective
-
courageous, intrepid, or stout-hearted; brave
-
marked by bravery or courage
a valiant deed
Synonym Usage
See brave.
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of valiant
First recorded in 1275–1325; Middle English valia(u)nt, from Anglo-French; Middle French vaillant, present participle of valoir “to be of worth,” Latin valēre; see -ant
Explanation
It was pretty courageous of the automaker Plymouth to name a car the "Valiant" in the 1960s and 70s because that term usually refers to a hero or describes a really determined, or valiant, effort that doesn't end well. Synonyms for valiant include "heroic" and "courageous," so it isn’t surprising that those who serve in the military often are called valiant. The 14th-century French origins of the word are "bold" or "of worth," which makes the adjective valiant a good one for describing ordinary people who put all they have into something, making their efforts valiant, even if they fail. The Plymouth Valiant, by the way, was considered a strong and successful car, though valiant usually refers to people.
Vocabulary lists containing valiant
"Rikki-Tikki-Tavi" by Rudyard Kipling
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
Much Ado About Nothing
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
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.
But then in 2017 came the hip injury that required major surgery and ultimately denied him the chance of adding to those major titles despite the valiant efforts over the next seven years.
From BBC ● Jun. 29, 2026
With those margins, near-misses can turn into valiant defeats.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Feb. 14, 2026
Chasing a mammoth 208 for victory, Italy suffered early blows before a valiant fourth-wicket partnership of 73 between brothers Ben and Harry Manenti kept them afloat at Eden Gardens.
From Barron's ● Feb. 9, 2026
Malinche’s portrayal as a valiant Cortés enabler doesn’t seem to bother audiences, though some decry the work’s pro-Spanish take on the Conquest.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jan. 25, 2026
And we love them: tall men and fair women, valiant both alike, golden-haired, bright-eyed, and strong; they remind us of the youth of Men, as they were in the Elder Days.
From "The Two Towers" by J. R. R. Tolkien
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.
