salutatorian

American  

[suh-loo-tuh-tawr-ee-uhn, -tohr-] / səˌlu təˈtɔr i ən, -ˈtoʊr- /

noun

1. (in some U.S. schools and colleges) the student ranking second highest in the graduating class, who delivers the salutatory at commencement.

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Etymology

Origin of salutatorian

An Americanism dating back to 1840–50; salutatory + -an

Compare meaning

How does salutatorian compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• valedictorian vs. salutatorian

Explanation

A salutatorian is a graduate who finished with the second highest rank in his or her class. Only the valedictorian did better. Being the salutatorian of your graduating class is a great honor. Traditionally, the salutatorian gives the opening remarks at the graduation ceremony. So, just as a salutation is a greeting, a salutatorian is responsible for offering a formal greeting at the event. Having been a salutatorian looks great on a resume, as long as you spell it correctly.

Example Sentences

Kirby was the Mariners’ rookie salutatorian last year, but was vastly overshadowed by Rodriguez.

From Seattle Times • Jul. 5, 2023

Page, the salutatorian, hugged his family as they met him outside the arena.

From Washington Post • Jun. 21, 2022

She ranked second in her class as the salutatorian.

From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 19, 2021

After graduating as Princeton’s 2006 salutatorian, Padilla earned a master’s degree from Oxford and a doctorate from Stanford.

From New York Times • Feb. 2, 2021

She was in the spelling bee, she was in the Academic Olympics, she was the salutatorian of her class.

From "Our America: Life and Death on the South Side of Chicago" by LeAlan Jones