valor

noun

val·​or ˈva-lər 

: strength of mind or spirit that enables a person to encounter danger with firmness : personal bravery

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When Should You Use valor?

Valor in uniform is still rewarded by medals. Many American civic organizations award a Medal of Valor for physical courage, and the Air Force Medal of Honor displays the single word "Valor". The somewhat old-fashioned adjective valorous more often describes warriors of the past. But valiant is still in common use, though it less often describes military courage than other kinds of bravery or effort.

Synonyms

• bottle [British slang]
• bravery
• courage
• courageousness
• daring
• daringness
• dauntlessness
• doughtiness
• fearlessness
• gallantry
• greatheartedness
• guts
• gutsiness
• hardihood
• heart
• heroism
• intestinal fortitude
• intrepidity
• intrepidness
• moxie
• nerve
• pecker [chiefly British]
• prowess
• stoutness
• virtue

Examples of valor in a Sentence

The soldiers received the nation's highest award for valor.

the absence of indecision even in the face of death is the true mark of valor

Recent Examples on the Web

The Pentagon statement offered no further biographical information about Pfc. Bragg, but a Military Times website that collects historical information on valor awards shows that a Roland L. Bragg earned a Silver Star while serving with the 17th Airborne Division during World War II. —John Ismay, New York Times, 11 Feb. 2025

This might be excused as valor for protecting our planet if the science wasn’t questionable and Gov. Wes Moore’s other decisions weren’t poor. —Reader Commentary, Baltimore Sun, 10 Feb. 2025

The Medal of Honor is awarded to service members who demonstrate exceptional valor in combat. —Lexie Schapitl, NPR, 3 Jan. 2025

The Medal of Honor is the United States military’s highest award for valor. —Laura Kiniry, Smithsonian Magazine, 14 Jan. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English valour "worth, worthiness, bravery," borrowed from Anglo-French valor, valur, inherited or borrowed from early Medieval Latin valor, from Latin val- (stem of validus "in good health, robust, having legal authority," valēre "to be well, have strength") + -or, noun suffix — more at valid, wield

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing valor

• discretion is the better part of valor

Rhymes for valor

• calor
• malheur
• pallor
• salar
• valour

Kids Definition

valor

noun

val·​or ˈval-ər 

: personal bravery in the face of danger