NYT Dictionary

VALIANT

/ˈvæliənt/
AdjectiveNounVA-liantva-liant · 2 syllablesGrade 6

Accepted in official NYT Spelling Bee puzzle years: 2022, 2024, 2026

Meaning

Possessing or showing courage or determination; brave, heroic.

Etymology

Origin: Middle English

From Middle English vailaunt (“having or showing courage or valour, valiant; characterized by valour; powerful, strong; person of valour or strength; excellent, worthy; beneficial, useful; valuable; legally valid, binding”) [and other forms], from Anglo-Norman vaillaunt, vaylant [and other forms], and Old French vailant, vaillant (“brave, valiant; having value, valuable”) [and other forms], from the present participle of valoir (“to have value; to be worth”), from Latin valēre (“to have value; to be worth; to be strong; to have influence or power”), ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *h₂welh₁- (“powerful, strong; to rule”).

Synonyms & Antonyms

Synonyms

boldvalorousadventurousmettlesomeawelessbadbrass-balledchivalrouscourageousdaredevil

Antonyms

backbonelessbasesoftbitch-assbonelesscaitiffcandy-assedchickenchicken-heartedchicken-livered

NYT Puzzle Appearances

Accepted in 2 recorded puzzles:

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