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valedictorian

[ val-i-dik-tawr-ee-uhn, -tohr- ]

noun

  1. a student, usually the one ranking highest academically in a school graduating class, who delivers the valedictory at the commencement exercises.


valedictorian

/ ˌvælɪdɪkˈtɔːrɪən /

adjective

  1. saying goodbye
  2. of or relating to a farewell or an occasion of farewell


noun

  1. a person, usually the most outstanding graduate, who delivers a farewell speech at a graduation ceremony

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Word History and Origins

Origin of valedictorian1

An Americanism dating back to 1750–60; valedictory + -an

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Compare Meanings

How does valedictorian compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

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Example Sentences

It’s a funny and compassionate story about 18-year-old Chloe, who’s fixated on becoming her school’s valedictorian.

From Time

The class valedictorian, wearing maroon robes and a pride flag draped around his shoulders, began with the customary “thank you” for the parents, teachers and friends in the audience.

Both his children were valedictorians at the local high school.

The next and last speaker was the class valedictorian, Officer James Fuchs.

He had been valedictorian at his high school and was a student at the University of Pennsylvania.

Chan attended Quincy High School in Massachusetts and graduated as valedictorian in 2003.

To her great surprise he was the valedictorian of the class, and he carried everything before him.

In 1874 she was graduated from the high school of her native place as valedictorian of the class.

Nan Barrington, you never can guess who passed with the highest marks and is to be chosen class valedictorian.

I have seen a valedictorian of a leading college deep down in a gravel mine, directing his hydraulic pipe against the bank.

And I wondered if the mother, who had wanted him to be the class valedictorian, was as proud of him as ever.

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