valiant

1 of 2

adjective

val·​iant ˈval-yənt 

1

: possessing or acting with bravery or boldness : courageous

valiant soldiers

2

: marked by, exhibiting, or carried out with courage or determination : heroic

valiant feats

valiantly adverb

valiantness noun

valiant

2 of 2

noun

: a valiant person

Synonyms of valiant

Adjective

• brave
• courageous
• gallant
• heroic
• fearless

Examples of valiant in a Sentence

Adjective

She died last year after a valiant battle with cancer.

Despite their valiant efforts, they lost the game.

She made a valiant attempt to fix the problem.

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

The Oklahoma City Thunder overcame another valiant Lakers charge Thursday night to win their second game in two tries in the Western Conference semifinals at Paycom Center. —Los Angeles Times, 8 May 2026

Philadelphia played without injured center Joel Embiid and couldn’t close down the stretch after a valiant effort. —Andrew Greif, NBC news, 7 May 2026

Embiid’s injury status still looms after valiant efforts from his reserve teammates. —Fiifi Frimpong, New York Daily News, 7 May 2026

If this was 2023 and the Lightning were coming off three successive Stanley Cup final appearances, a valiant first-round exit would be excused. —John Romano, The Orlando Sentinel, 4 May 2026

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Middle English vailant, valiant, borrowed from Anglo-French vaillant "worthy, strong, courageous," from present participle of valer "to be of worth," going back to Latin valēre "to have strength, be well" — more at wield

First Known Use

Adjective

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

valiant

1 of 2 adjective

val·​iant ˈval-yənt 

1

: boldly brave

2

: done with courage : heroic

valiantly adverb

valiant

2 of 2 noun

: a valiant person