valor

especially British, val·our

[val-er]

noun

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

   a medal for valor.

   Synonyms: spirit, intrepidity
   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

“This is my journey, and I want to thank the board for your trust, your confidence, and for your valor and courage in doing right by our community through the service that we collectively provide.”

From Los Angeles Times

To her great surprise, the king himself rides his dragon Sunfyre into battle, hoping to prove his valor.

From Los Angeles Times

I mean, Reagan raves about the “impossible valor of the Poles,” “the forces of Free France” and the “unsurpassed courage of the Canadians.”

From Los Angeles Times

But Rankin puts Riel’s face on his movie’s fictional money, too — a pointed production design choice that’s at once a pun on Iran’s currency, the rial, and a way to award value to Riel’s valor.

From Los Angeles Times

As always, Trump is stealing the valor and hard work of others.

From Salon

Related Words

• boldness 
• courage 
• derring-do 
• determination 
• fearlessness www.thesaurus.com
• firmness www.thesaurus.com
• fortitude 
• gallantry 
• grit 
• heroism 
• prowess 
• tenacity