English dictionary, thesaurus, translations & etymology
FreeDict.com
noun B2 Upper-Intermediate Uncommon

valentine

VALUHN-tyn

Valentine (noun) means a card, gift, or affectionate message sent to someone on Valentine's Day. Example: “He left a handmade valentine on her desk before class.”

noun
1
A card, gift, or affectionate message sent to someone on Valentine's Day.
"He left a handmade valentine on her desk before class."
"They exchanged valentines every February 14th since they started dating."
2
The person to whom such a card or gift is given, or who gives one.
"Will you be my valentine this year?"

How to Use Valentine

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA Valentine's Day card or gift, or the person you send one to.

Common pairings
send a valentine be my valentine a valentine card

Word Forms

valentines plural, Valentines plural

Study it as flashcards or scroll it in Flow — saved to your collection.
Test yourself on “valentine” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage

Fill the Gap

Can you complete this real example?

He left a handmade _____ on her desk before class.

Etymology

Named after Saint Valentine, whose feast day on February 14th became associated with romantic love and the exchanging of cards.

sweetheart love note admirer beau Valentine's

Related Words

Rhymes for valentine

See all rhymes for valentine →

Frequently Asked Questions

What does “valentine” mean?

The word “valentine” means a card, gift, or affectionate message sent to someone on Valentine's Day. In plain terms, a Valentine's Day card or gift, or the person you send one to.

How do you pronounce “valentine”?

“Valentine” is pronounced VALUHN-tyn (/ˈvaləntaɪn/ in IPA).

How do you use “valentine” in a sentence?

Here is “valentine” used in a sentence: “He left a handmade valentine on her desk before class.”

What is another word for “valentine”?

Words with a similar meaning to “valentine” include Valentine's.

What part of speech is “valentine”?

“Valentine” is a noun.

Is “valentine” a common word?

“Valentine” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.

How many meanings does “valentine” have?

“Valentine” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a card, gift, or affectionate message sent to someone on Valentine's Day.

What is the difference between a "valentine" and a "Valentine's Day card"?

A "valentine" is the general term for any card, gift, or affectionate message sent on Valentine's Day, while "Valentine's Day card" specifically refers to the card itself. "Valentine" can also refer to the card or to the person who sends or receives it.

Can "valentine" refer to a person?

Yes, "valentine" can refer to the person to whom a card or gift is given, or who gives one, as in "will you be my valentine?"

Is "valentine" capitalized when used as a common noun?

When "valentine" refers generally to a card or gift, it is usually lowercase, but it is capitalized when referring specifically to Valentine's Day or Saint Valentine.

Featured In

People Also Searched

Definitions: FreeDict original editorial