valid
Americanadjective
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sound; just; well-founded.
a valid reason.
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producing the desired result; effective.
a valid antidote for gloom.
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having force, weight, or cogency; authoritative.
- Synonyms:
- cogent, substantial
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legally sound, effective, or binding; having legal force.
a valid contract.
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Logic. (of an argument) so constructed that if the premises are jointly asserted, the conclusion cannot be denied without contradiction.
- Synonyms:
- convincing, logical
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Archaic. robust; well; healthy.
adjective
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having some foundation; based on truth
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legally acceptable
a valid licence
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having legal force; effective
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having legal authority; binding
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having some force or cogency
a valid point in a debate
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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
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archaic healthy or strong
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of valid
First recorded in 1565–75; from Latin validus “strong,” from val(ēre) “to be strong” + -idus -id 4; cf. prevail ( def. )
Explanation
A valid argument is one that is well-grounded in fact, law or logic. "Their argument for annulment was valid because they had never even met and their marriage was the result of a clerical error at town hall." Something is valid when it can be supported or backed-up, or if it is functional: “She figured her password was valid because she had just set it.” In a legal context, valid means that something is binding or actionable: “At the time of the accident his license was no longer valid, so they impounded his car.” The logical grounding of an argument can be valid: “That’s a valid point about Santa being too large to fit down a chimney.”
Vocabulary lists containing valid
Jim Burke's Academic Vocabulary List
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TEKS ELAR Academic Vocabulary List (5th-7th grades)
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The Real Deal: Synonyms for "True"
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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.
Valid reasons for removing an executor include egregious behavior like stealing from or wasting the estate’s assets.
From MarketWatch • Dec. 16, 2025
Valid addresses are no longer required because the tickets are delivered in digital form.
From BBC • Nov. 28, 2025
Valid reasons for not spending the money could include the inability to hire a teacher, or the need to purchase equipment or provide training.
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 1, 2024
"A Settlement Class Member who submits a Valid Claim shall receive a minimum cash payment of $5.50 up to a maximum of $25.00".
From Salon • Jul. 11, 2023
Valid or not, Mary Jane’s conspiracy theories underscored how invested the family was in Reggie’s mission, something he professed to want so badly himself.
From "A Deadly Wandering: A Mystery, a Landmark Investigation, and the Astonishing Science of Attention in the Digital Age" by Matt Richtel
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.
