soldier
SOHLD-zhuh
Soldier (noun) means a person who serves in an army, especially one who is not an officer. Example: “The soldier had served two tours overseas.”
noun
1
A person who serves in an army, especially one who is not an officer.
"The soldier had served two tours overseas."
"Hundreds of soldiers marched through the town for the parade."
"Each soldier carried a heavy pack as the unit crossed the field."
2
Informal: a low-ranking member of a criminal organization, especially the mafia.
"The film follows a young soldier working his way up in the crime family."
"In the novel, a nervous soldier is sent to collect money for the boss."
"The gang boss trusted his best soldiers to keep the neighbourhood quiet."
3
A strip of buttered toast or bread cut for dipping into a soft-boiled egg.
"She cut the toast into soldiers to dip in the runny yolk."
"Dad made me a boiled egg with buttered soldiers for breakfast."
"The toddler dipped each soldier in the egg and gobbled it up."
verb
1
To carry on doggedly despite difficulty.
"Despite the setback, the team decided to soldier on."
"Although she was exhausted, she decided to soldier on until the work was finished."
"The runners soldiered through the rain to reach the finish line."
How to use soldier
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA member of an army; also used loosely for a low-level gang member, a strip of toast for dipping, or (as a verb) to keep going through hardship.
Common pairings
soldier on
toy soldier
foot soldier
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Word forms
- Plural
- soldiers
- Third person singular
- soldiers
- Past tense
- soldiered
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The _____ had served two tours overseas.
Etymology
From Old French soudier ("mercenary"), ultimately from Late Latin solidus, a type of coin — a soldier was originally "one who is paid" for military service.
Synonyms
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Rhymes for soldier
See all rhymes for soldier →Frequently asked questions
What does “soldier” mean?
The word “soldier” means a person who serves in an army, especially one who is not an officer. In plain terms, a member of an army; also used loosely for a low-level gang member, a strip of toast for dipping, or (as a verb) to keep going through hardship.
How do you pronounce “soldier”?
“Soldier” is pronounced SOHLD-zhuh (/ˈsoʊld͡ʒɚ/ in IPA).
How do you use “soldier” in a sentence?
Here is “soldier” used in a sentence: “The soldier had served two tours overseas.”
What is another word for “soldier”?
Words with a similar meaning to “soldier” include digger, dogface, doughboy, GI, ground pounder and grunt.
What part of speech is “soldier”?
Depending on how it is used, “soldier” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “soldier” come from?
The word “soldier” comes from Late Latin. From Old French soudier ("mercenary"), ultimately from Late Latin solidus, a type of coin — a soldier was originally "one who is paid" for military service.
Is “soldier” a common word?
“Soldier” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
How many meanings does “soldier” have?
“Soldier” has 4 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a person who serves in an army, especially one who is not an officer.
What is the difference between a soldier and an officer?
A soldier serves in an army, and the word points especially to enlisted ranks who carry out orders on the ground. An officer holds a commissioned position of authority and leads and commands those soldiers. So while officers are part of the military, the term 'soldier' most often refers to non-commissioned personnel.
Is a marine or a sailor the same as a soldier?
Not strictly. 'Soldier' refers specifically to a member of an army. Sailors serve in the navy, marines in the marine corps, and airmen in the air force. All are service members of the armed forces, but only army personnel are properly called soldiers, though people often use the word loosely.
What are the different types of soldiers?
Armies divide soldiers by role. Infantry fight on foot, cavalry or armoured troops operate vehicles and tanks, artillery handle heavy guns, and engineers build and demolish. There are also specialists such as medics, snipers, and signals troops. Ranks rise from privates up through non-commissioned officers like sergeants.
What qualities make a good soldier?
Beyond physical fitness, good soldiers are known for discipline, courage, and the ability to follow and give orders under pressure. Teamwork, loyalty, and resilience matter enormously, since military tasks depend on trusting the people beside you. Adaptability and a level head in dangerous situations round out the core qualities.
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