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

Norma Desmond’s home in Sunset Boulevard, Billy Wilder’s 1950 dark valentine to Hollywood, was actually a real mansion on Wilshire. —Matthew Wills, JSTOR Daily, 22 Nov. 2024

Courtesy New Cadence Productions The predominantly Latino city of San Antonio and its rich history features prominently in the film, so much so that the movie can be seen as a valentine to the city. —Raul A. Reyes, NBC News, 19 Nov. 2024

Ken Jeong posted a valentine to his Community/Animal Control co-star Joel McHale, Zooey Deschanel made the world a valentine with her face on it, and Rita Ora celebrated the love between Kristen Stewart and her fiancée, Dylan Meyer. —Bethy Squires, Vulture, 14 Feb. 2024

While delivering the final eulogy for Ethel at her memorial on Wednesday, Biden brought up that valentine as a cherished possession of his. —Charlotte Phillipp, People.com, 17 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English valentyn, after Seint Valentynes day

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

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