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Added 9 October 2026

valiant

/ˈvæliənt/ adjective

Latin root: valēre Wiktionary

adjective Definition from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA). Pronunciation from Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org. More about valiant at Wordnik → Where our words come from →

Possessing or showing courage or determination; brave, heroic.
A valiant man’s look is more than a coward’s sword.
Characterized by or done with bravery or valour.
another valiant attempt at rescue

noun

A person who acts with valour, showing hero-like characteristics in the midst of danger.

Origin

From Middle English vailaunt (“having or showing courage or valour, valiant; characterized by valour; powerful, strong; person of valour or strength; excellent, worthy; beneficial, useful; valuable; legally valid, binding”) [and other forms], from Anglo-Norman vaillaunt, vaylant [and other forms], and Old French vailant, vaillant (“brave, valiant; having value, valuable”) [and other forms], from the present participle of valoir (“to have value; to be worth”), from Latin valēre (“to have value; to be worth; to be strong; to have influence or power”), ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *h₂welh₁- (“powerful, strong; to rule”).

From Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org (CC BY-SA)

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