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

Momma gives it to Addy to honor her bravery, the same valor that her great-grandmother had possessed in surviving Middle Passage, the auction block, and life on the plantation. —Jaha Nailah Avery june 9, Literary Hub, 9 June 2025

That valor gave us the freest, greatest and most noble Republic ever to exist on the face of the earth. —Meredith Kile, People.com, 26 May 2025

He’s been heralded as a war hero and recognized by the U.S. Marines with a Commendation Medal for valor. —Jessica Schladebeck, New York Daily News, 23 May 2025

Rita was a symbol of quiet valor throughout The Handmaid’s Tale, and without her, the liberation of Boston would have never happened. —Barry Levitt, Time, 27 May 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