valor

[ val-er ]

noun

1. boldness or determination in facing great danger, especially in battle; heroic courage; bravery:

   a medal for valor.

   Synonyms: intrepidity, spirit

   Antonyms: cowardice

Word History and Origins

Origin of valor¹

1350–1400; Middle English valo ( u ) r < Anglo-French; Middle French valeur < Late Latin valōr-, stem of valor worth, equivalent to Latin val ( ēre ) to be of worth + -or -or ¹

Idioms and Phrases

see discretion is the better part of valor .

Synonym Study

See courage.

Example Sentences

For your valor will be on the increase, but our energy is already running out.

From Realm of History

War, which is always messy, brutal and chaotic, is represented by a scene of individual valor, which is an important but limited truth.

From Washington Post

No doubt there is plenty more they could say, if they chose, but for the Californian Royals, discretion now may be the more lucrative part of valor.

From The Daily Beast

Even the valor of tragedy is denied to Daisy, “a woman born with a voice that lacks a tragic register.”

From The Daily Beast

The founder of Valor por Tamaulipas disputes this version of events and has characterized it as disinformation.

From The Daily Beast

Understandably the narcos wanted to know the real identities of Felina and her compañeros at Valor por Tamaulipas.

From The Daily Beast

The founder of Valor por Tamaulipas confirmed that the photos are of Felina.

From The Daily Beast

Ground war remained, inevitably, a place of high sacrifice as well as valor.

From The Daily Beast

De Valor resumed it, when he raised the rebel standard on the Alpuxara mountains.

From Project Gutenberg

He distinguished himself by his valor against the Saracens, under Charlemagne.

From Project Gutenberg

This battle lasted four hours; the Spaniards performed prodigies of valor, and were victorious.

From Project Gutenberg

To the arts of the politician he added the valor of the warrior, and exterminated the Saracens who invaded Italy.

From Project Gutenberg

Thus Arnold, though defeated, gained by his valor the fruit of victory, for the British gave up their plan of holding the lake.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• boldness
• courage
• derring-do
• determination
• fearlessness
• firmness
• fortitude
• gallantry
• grit
• heroism
• prowess
• tenacity