noun
Uncommon
Valentino
va-luhn-TEE-noh
Valentino (noun) means a strikingly handsome, romantic-looking man, especially one who resembles the silent-film star Rudolph Valentino. Example: “He strode in looking like a valentino in his tailored suit.”
noun
1
A strikingly handsome, romantic-looking man, especially one who resembles the silent-film star Rudolph Valentino.
"He strode in looking like a valentino in his tailored suit."
2
Informal: a gigolo, especially one supported financially by an older woman.
"Rumours swirled that he was little more than her valentino."
How to use Valentino
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA dashing, romantic-looking man — sometimes used with a negative edge to mean a kept man.
When to use it
The "gigolo" sense is informal and slightly dated.
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Word forms
- Plural
- Valentinos, Valentinoes
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
He strode in looking like a _____ in his tailored suit.
Etymology
From the surname of Italian-American actor Rudolph Valentino (1895–1926), famed for his romantic leading-man roles.
Class of 1895
Valentino joined the language around 1895.
See the full Class of 1895 →
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for Valentino
See all rhymes for Valentino →Frequently asked questions
What does “Valentino” mean?
The word “Valentino” means a strikingly handsome, romantic-looking man, especially one who resembles the silent-film star Rudolph Valentino. In plain terms, a dashing, romantic-looking man — sometimes used with a negative edge to mean a kept man.
How do you pronounce “Valentino”?
“Valentino” is pronounced va-luhn-TEE-noh (/ˌvælənˈtiːnoʊ/ in IPA).
How do you use “Valentino” in a sentence?
Here is “Valentino” used in a sentence: “He strode in looking like a valentino in his tailored suit.”
What part of speech is “Valentino”?
“Valentino” is a noun.
Where does the word “Valentino” come from?
The word “Valentino” dates back to around 1895 and comes from Italian. From the surname of Italian-American actor Rudolph Valentino (1895–1926), famed for his romantic leading-man roles.
Is “Valentino” a common word?
“Valentino” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “Valentino” have?
“Valentino” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a strikingly handsome, romantic-looking man, especially one who resembles the silent-film star Rudolph Valentino.
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