noun

veterans

VET-uh-ruhnz

Veterans (noun) means People who have served in the armed forces, especially those who are no longer serving. Example: “The charity provides housing for homeless veterans.”

noun

People who have served in the armed forces, especially those who are no longer serving.

"The charity provides housing for homeless veterans."

"Veterans marched past the memorial on Remembrance Sunday."

People with long experience in a particular job, sport or activity.

"Two veterans of the newsroom were let go in the restructure."

"The squad mixes teenagers with veterans of three World Cups."

adjective

Long-serving and highly experienced.

"Veteran officers were called in to advise on the case."

How to use veterans

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishPeople who used to be in the military, or anyone with lots of experience.

When to use it

Neutral. In American usage it defaults to the military sense; British writers often say ex-servicemen or veterans interchangeably.

Memory tip

Vets is short for both veterans and veterinarians, so spell it out where confusion is possible.

Trace the full origin ↓

Easily confused with

veterinarian → vets servicemen

Common pairings

war veterans military veterans veterans' benefits veterans of the campaign

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The charity provides housing for homeless _____.

Etymology

From Latin veteranus 'old, experienced', from vetus 'old'.

Origin: Latin

Synonyms

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ex-servicemen and women former soldiers vets ex-military old hands stalwarts long-servers seasoned experienced long-serving

Antonyms

recruits conscripts novices rookies beginners

Related words

young experienced trained mature skilled travelled traveled practiced

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between a veteran and an active-duty service member?

An active-duty service member is currently serving in the armed forces. A veteran has completed their service and left. In the United States, most benefit programmes also require that the discharge was other than dishonourable.

Do you have to have fought in a war to be a veteran?

No. Anyone who served in the armed forces qualifies, whether or not they were deployed to a conflict. A combat veteran is the narrower term for someone who served in a war zone.

When is Veterans Day?

In the United States, 11 November. It honours all who have served, while Memorial Day in late May specifically remembers those who died in service. The United Kingdom marks the same November date as Remembrance Day.

What is the meaning of veterans?

"veterans" (noun) means people who have served in the armed forces, especially those who are no longer serving.

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young experienced trained mature skilled travelled traveled practiced