veteran
6 synonyms and 0 antonyms for veteran, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — Someone with long experience in a particular field or activity.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
How to use veteran
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Etymology
From Latin veteranus, related to vetus, "old".
Full origin of veteran →Frequently asked questions
What does “veteran” mean?
The word “veteran” means someone with long experience in a particular field or activity. In plain terms, someone highly experienced in their field, or specifically a former member of the armed forces.
How do you pronounce “veteran”?
“Veteran” is pronounced VEH-tuh-ruhn ([ˈvɛ.t̬ə.ɹən] in IPA).
How do you use “veteran” in a sentence?
Here is “veteran” used in a sentence: “She's a veteran of the fashion industry, with thirty years in the business.”
What part of speech is “veteran”?
Depending on how it is used, “veteran” can be a noun and an adjective.
Where does the word “veteran” come from?
The word “veteran” comes from Latin. From Latin veteranus, related to vetus, "old".
Is “veteran” a common word?
“Veteran” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
How many meanings does “veteran” have?
“Veteran” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: someone with long experience in a particular field or activity.
What is the difference between a veteran and a soldier?
A soldier is a person currently serving in an army. A veteran is someone who has served in the armed forces, especially during wartime, and so usually refers to a former or long-serving member rather than someone on active duty in the way soldier does.
Can veteran describe someone outside the military?
Yes. Besides meaning a person who has served in the armed forces, veteran also means someone with long experience in a particular field or activity. In this sense you can speak of a veteran teacher, a veteran journalist, or a veteran of many campaigns.
What is the difference between a veteran and an expert?
A veteran is defined by long experience in a field, having done something for many years. An expert is defined by a high level of skill or knowledge, which can sometimes be gained quickly. A person can be a veteran without being the very best, and an expert without having decades of experience.
How is veteran used as an adjective?
As an adjective, veteran describes a person with long experience, as in "a veteran actor" or "a veteran campaigner." It is placed before the noun and signals that the person has been doing the activity for a long time.