valiant

1 of 2

adjective

val·​iant ˈval-yənt How to pronounce valiant (audio)
1
: possessing or acting with bravery or boldness : courageous
valiant soldiers
2
: marked by, exhibiting, or carried out with courage or determination : heroic
valiant feats
valiantly adverb
valiantness noun

valiant

2 of 2

noun

: a valiant person

Examples of valiant in a Sentence

Adjective She died last year after a valiant battle with cancer. Despite their valiant efforts, they lost the game. She made a valiant attempt to fix the problem.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Adjective
Time also alluded to Hannegan’s lack of experience, and his valiant efforts to correct for it. Joseph Thorndike, Forbes, 15 Dec. 2024 Their defense, led by Roquan Smith and Marlon Humphrey, delivered a valiant effort against one of the league’s best teams but could not smother Saquon Barkley forever. Baltimore Sun Staff, Baltimore Sun, 2 Dec. 2024 Cincinnati trailed 27-6 at one point and made a valiant effort to come back and tie the game at 27 all, but the Chargers won on a late J.K. Dobbins touchdown run. Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 1 Dec. 2024 The premise is Reba McEntire returning to network sitcoms, and Happy’s Place is a valiant effort to create a show to support that central goal. Kathryn Vanarendonk, Vulture, 29 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for valiant 

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Middle English vailant, valiant, borrowed from Anglo-French vaillant "worthy, strong, courageous," from present participle of valer "to be of worth," going back to Latin valēre "to have strength, be well" — more at wield

First Known Use

Adjective

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1589, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of valiant was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near valiant

Cite this Entry

“Valiant.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/valiant. Accessed 27 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

valiant

1 of 2 adjective
val·​iant ˈval-yənt How to pronounce valiant (audio)
1
: boldly brave
2
: done with courage : heroic
valiantly adverb

valiant

2 of 2 noun
: a valiant person

More from Merriam-Webster on valiant

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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