noun
Common
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
1
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."
"My grandfather joined other veterans at the museum to share stories with schoolchildren."
2
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."
"The kitchen team relies on veterans who have worked the busy Saturday shifts for decades."
adjective
1
Long-serving and highly experienced.
"Veteran officers were called in to advise on the case."
"The team's veteran goalkeeper stayed calm under pressure during the final."
"She asked a veteran teacher for advice on managing a noisy classroom."
How to use veterans
Learner’s notesIn 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
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'.
Synonyms
View more →
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
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.
