valour
gb/vəlˌɔɹ/ us/vəlˌɔɹ/
C1
English
~ 7200
Senses
0 senses
Noun
formal
C1
property
1
great courage in danger
Great courage when you are in serious danger or in a very difficult situation.
Usage pattern:
[someone] shows/displays [great] valour in [dangerous situation]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse the noun "valour" with the adjective "brave" and try to say *"he is very valour"* instead of "he is very brave" or "he showed great valour." Another common issue is spelling: American English uses "valor," while British English uses "valour." Learners may also mix it up with "value," which refers to worth, not courage.
Synonyms
bravery (Very close in meaning and more common in everyday English; slightly broader and less formal than "valour".)
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courage (General word for not being afraid to face danger or difficulty; less tied to battle or heroic situations than "valour".)
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heroism (Stresses noble, self‑sacrificing acts seen as heroic; often used for dramatic or widely admired valour.)
Antonyms
cowardice (Direct opposite, meaning lack of courage in the face of danger.)
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fearfulness (Focuses on being easily afraid, which prevents acts of valour.)
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timidity (Suggests shyness or nervousness that stops someone from acting bravely.)
Collocations
great valour
|act of valour
|show valour
|display remarkable valour
|medal for valour
|valour on the battlefield
Themes
emotions
|character
|military
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The firefighter was awarded a medal for valour after rescuing three children from the burning house.
- Stories of her valour during the war were passed down through the family.
- He showed remarkable valour in standing up to the armed attackers.
- The soldiers were praised for their courage and valour under heavy fire.
- In a rare act of valour, the unarmed guard confronted the intruder to protect the staff.
Learner examples
- The soldier received a medal for his valour.
- They told us a story about her valour in the war.
- The police officer showed great valour when he entered the burning building.
- We admire her valour in speaking out against the powerful company.
- His valour in a dangerous situation saved many lives.
Grammar
Dictionary form
valour
IPA
GB/vəlˌɔɹ/
US/vəlˌɔɹ/
Syllables & stress
valour (1 syllable)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: valour
- Plural: valour
Word family
Core family
valiant
adjective
valiantly
adverb
Related words
valor
noun C1
Advanced or less common
valorous
adjective
valorously
adverb
Expressions
act of valour
1/ˈækt əv vəlˌɔɹ/
fixed phrase
formal
single deed of great courage
A single action where someone is very brave in a dangerous situation.
Examples
- His quick thinking and act of valour saved the child from drowning.
- The award recognizes a single act of valour performed in the line of duty.
- She will always be remembered for that one act of valour on the battlefield.
discretion is the better part of valour
1/dɪskɹˈɛʃən ˈɪz ðə bˈɛtɚ pˈɑɹt əv vəlˌɔɹ/
idiom
literary
being careful is wiser than bold
It is usually wiser to be careful and avoid unnecessary danger than to act very brave and take big risks.
Examples
- He wanted to argue with the armed man, but decided that discretion is the better part of valour and stayed quiet.
- I know you want to prove yourself, but remember that discretion is the better part of valour.
- They withdrew from the project, believing that discretion was the better part of valour in such an unstable market.
medal of valour
1/mˈɛdəl əv vəlˌɔɹ/
fixed phrase
formal
official bravery award medal
An official medal that someone receives to show they were very brave in a dangerous situation.
Examples
- The firefighter received a medal of valour for rescuing the family from the burning building.
- Several officers were presented with the medal of valour at the ceremony.
- He wore his medal of valour with quiet pride.