valiant

[ val-yuhnt ]

adjective

1. boldly courageous; brave; stout-hearted:

   a valiant soldier.

   Synonyms: dauntless, valorous

2. marked by or showing bravery or valor; heroic:

   to make a valiant effort.

3. worthy; excellent.

valiant

/ ˈvæljənt /

adjective

1. courageous, intrepid, or stout-hearted; brave
2. marked by bravery or courage

   a valiant deed

Derived Forms

• ˈvaliance, noun
• ˈvaliantly, adverb

Other Words From

• val·iant·ly adverb
• val·iant·ness noun
• o·ver·val·iant adjective
• o·ver·val·iant·ness noun
• un·val·iant adjective
• un·val·iant·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of valiant¹

First recorded in 1275–1325; Middle English valia(u)nt, from Anglo-French; Middle French vaillant, present participle of valoir “to be of worth,” Latin valēre; -ant

Word History and Origins

Origin of valiant¹

C14: from Old French vaillant, from valoir to be of value, from Latin valēre to be strong

Synonym Study

See brave.

Example Sentences

Arsenal put up a valiant fight in Milan on Wednesday but ultimately it was another disappointing result in what is proving a tough spell for the Gunners.

From BBC

The Dodgers played it smartly, if weirdly, on a night when the Yankees’ valiant effort could be summed up in two words.

From Los Angeles Times

But the Dodgers would get no closer, always failing to gain enough comeback traction as Honeywell surrendered four runs in 4⅔ valiant but ineffective innings of relief.

From Los Angeles Times

And despite a valiant effort at the final hole, McIlroy was unable to elude another gut-wrenching miss on a big stage.

From BBC

We should even applaud those who make a valiant effort — especially if they’re in the room with us — because creating art is hard.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• courageous
• fearless
• gallant
• gutsy
• heroic
• indomitable
• intrepid
• noble
• plucky
• stout
• strong-willed
• vigorous