valentine

noun

val·​en·​tine ˈva-lən-ˌtīn 

1

: a sweetheart chosen or complimented on Valentine's Day

2

a

: a gift or greeting sent or given especially to a sweetheart on Valentine's Day

especially : a greeting card sent on this day

b

: something (such as a movie or piece of writing) expressing uncritical praise or affection : tribute

Examples of valentine in a Sentence

Won't you be my valentine?

Recent Examples on the Web

Adam's valentines 🎨 Murals: Art is everywhere in Nashville. —Adam Tamburin, Axios, 14 Feb. 2025

Meghan Markle is missing her valentine, Prince Harry. —Stephanie Petit, People.com, 14 Feb. 2025

At the beginning of that century, Britons produced most of their valentines by hand. —Christopher Ferguson, The Conversation, 12 Feb. 2025

One of the museum’s signature displays is its annual look back at an elementary school Valentine’s Day, complete with vintage decorations and valentine cards straight from the 1950s. —Paul Eisenberg, Chicago Tribune, 9 Feb. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English valentyn, after Seint Valentynes day

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for valentine

• acridine
• alkaline
• andesine
• anodyne
• anticline
• arginine
• asinine
• atropine
• benzidine
• borderline
• byzantine
• calamine

Kids Definition

valentine

noun

val·​en·​tine ˈval-ən-ˌtīn 

1

: a sweetheart given something as a sign of affection on Valentine's Day

2

: a gift or greeting sent or given on Valentine's Day