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

He had been awarded a Bronze Star for valor and had won numerous other medals during his time in the Marines, including two Marine Purple Heart medals. —David Faris, Newsweek, 4 Nov. 2024

He was awarded a Bronze Star with valor after a battle in Mosul, Iraq, in 2005, in which he was shot multiple times but continued to fight alongside his troops. —Courtney Kube, NBC News, 31 Oct. 2024

The philosopher Johann Gottlieb Fichte, a father of German nationalism, even accused Europeans of deliberately keeping German lands fragmented—the better to enlist German valor for their own conquests. —Jennifer Wilson, The New Yorker, 4 Nov. 2024

Some of the Medal of Honor recipients at Wounded Knee also appear to have failed to meet the requirements of valor of their day, according to Mears. —Tom Vanden Brook, USA TODAY, 1 Aug. 2024

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

Kids Definition

valor

noun

val·​or ˈval-ər 

: personal bravery in the face of danger