Valkyrie

American  

[val-keer-ee, -kahy-ree, vahl-, val-kuh-ree] / vælˈkɪər i, -ˈkaɪ ri, vɑl-, ˈvæl kə ri /

noun

Scandinavian Mythology.

1. any of the beautiful maidens attendant upon Odin who bring the souls of slain warriors chosen by Odin or Tyr to Valhalla and there wait upon them.

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Valkyrie British  

/ ˈvælkɪərɪ, vælˈkɪərɪ, ˈvælkɪə /

noun

1. Norse myth any of the beautiful maidens who serve Odin and ride over battlefields to claim the dead heroes and take them to Valhalla

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Other Word Forms

• Valkyrian adjective

Etymology

Origin of Valkyrie

< Old Norse valkyrja chooser of the slain (cognate with Old English wælcyrie witch), equivalent to val ( r ) the slain in battle, slaughter (cognate with Old English wæl ) + kyrja chooser (cognate with Old English cyrie ); akin to choose

Example Sentences

The most well-known U.S. version is the prototype XQ-58A Valkyrie, designed to provide unmanned escort for F-35s and F-22s.

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 14, 2025

Thompson appeared in three “Creed” pictures, also playing the role of Valkyrie in numerous Marvel movies including “Thor: Ragnarok” and “Avengers: Endgame.”

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 23, 2025

“Thor: Love and Thunder” establishes Tessa Thompson’s Valkyrie as bisexual and introduces the husband of Thor’s pal Korg.

From Salon • Aug. 28, 2025

Lacey Owen put Valkyrie ahead, but Saints responded to lead through the league’s top try-scorer Leah Burke and a brace of penalties from Faye Gaskin.

From BBC • Oct. 6, 2024

Brynhild, a Valkyrie, has disobeyed Odin and is punished by being put to sleep until some man shall wake her.

From "Mythology: Timeless Tales of Gods and Heroes" by Edith Hamilton