valid

American  

[val-id] / ˈvæl ɪd /

adjective

1. sound; just; well-founded.

   a valid reason.

2. producing the desired result; effective.

   a valid antidote for gloom.

3. having force, weight, or cogency; authoritative.

   Synonyms:

   cogent, substantial

4. legally sound, effective, or binding; having legal force.

   a valid contract.

5. Logic. (of an argument) so constructed that if the premises are jointly asserted, the conclusion cannot be denied without contradiction.

   Synonyms:

   convincing, logical

6. Archaic. robust; well; healthy.

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valid British  

/ ˈvælɪd, vəˈlɪdɪtɪ /

adjective

1. having some foundation; based on truth

2. legally acceptable

   a valid licence

3. 1. having legal force; effective

   2. having legal authority; binding

4. having some force or cogency

   a valid point in a debate

5. logic (of an inference or argument) having premises and conclusion so related that whenever the former are true the latter must also be true, esp ( formally valid ) when the inference is justified by the form of the premises and conclusion alone. Thus Tom is a bachelor; therefore Tom is unmarried is valid but not formally so, while today is hot and dry; therefore today is hot is formally valid Compare invalid 2

6. archaic healthy or strong

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Other Word Forms

• nonvalid adjective
• nonvalidly adverb
• nonvalidness noun
• prevalid adjective
• prevalidly adverb
• quasi-valid adjective
• quasi-validly adverb
• validity noun
• validly adverb
• validness noun

Etymology

Origin of valid

First recorded in 1565–75; from Latin validus “strong,” from val(ēre) “to be strong” + -idus -id ⁴; prevail ( def. )

Example Sentences

While that is a valid objection, especially for calculations of the 1-year real yield, it seems unlikely that the war will have a significant impact on average inflation over the next decade.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 8, 2026

That’s as valid an issue as the scientific progress that’s being made.

From Salon • Apr. 7, 2026

Ukraine's state savings bank, Oschadbank, said they had a valid licence and that it was a routine journey between Austria and Ukraine.

From BBC • Apr. 4, 2026

Until now, a valid birth certificate had been sufficient to establish a person’s U.S. citizenship.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 1, 2026

Once she signed the official document, the wedding was legally valid.

From "The Bad Beginning" by Lemony Snicket

Related Words

• accurate
• authentic
• binding
• compelling
• conclusive
• credible
• good
• lawful
• legal
• legitimate
• logical
• original
• persuasive
• solid
• true
• well-founded