valor

noun

val·​or ˈva-lər 

: strength of mind or spirit that enables a person to encounter danger with firmness : personal bravery

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When Should You Use valor?

Valor in uniform is still rewarded by medals. Many American civic organizations award a Medal of Valor for physical courage, and the Air Force Medal of Honor displays the single word "Valor". The somewhat old-fashioned adjective valorous more often describes warriors of the past. But valiant is still in common use, though it less often describes military courage than other kinds of bravery or effort.

Synonyms

• bottle [British slang]
• bravery
• courage
• courageousness
• daring
• daringness
• dauntlessness
• doughtiness
• fearlessness
• gallantry
• greatheartedness
• guts
• gutsiness
• hardihood
• heart
• heroism
• intestinal fortitude
• intrepidity
• intrepidness
• moxie
• nerve
• pecker [chiefly British]
• prowess
• stoutness
• virtue

Examples of valor in a Sentence

The soldiers received the nation's highest award for valor.

the absence of indecision even in the face of death is the true mark of valor

Recent Examples on the Web

Teaching us the valor to start a new way of being and behaving. —Colin Bedell, Them, 14 Mar. 2025

The Harriet Tubman Museum on the Eastern Shore reminds us of another woman of valor. —Tara Sonenshine, Baltimore Sun, 4 Feb. 2025

Later in the day, Trump also offered praise for Zelenskyy and Ukrainian fighters' valor on the battlefield. —Shannon K. Kingston, ABC News, 28 Feb. 2025

There’s so much bravery and valor and loyalty and dreaming, of family and themes of human existence that were told in a certain way when our grandparents were alive. —David Browne, Rolling Stone, 29 Jan. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English valour "worth, worthiness, bravery," borrowed from Anglo-French valor, valur, inherited or borrowed from early Medieval Latin valor, from Latin val- (stem of validus "in good health, robust, having legal authority," valēre "to be well, have strength") + -or, noun suffix — more at valid, wield

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing valor

• discretion is the better part of valor

Rhymes for valor

• calor
• malheur
• pallor
• salar
• valour

Kids Definition

valor

noun

val·​or ˈval-ər 

: personal bravery in the face of danger