valentine

IPA/ˈvæləntaɪn/
KK[vˈæləntˌaɪn]IPA/ˈvæləntaɪn/

valentine — noun

  • valentinesingular
  • valentinesplural

1. a person you choose as a romantic partner or special friend on Valentine's Day,

1.nounB1
Definition

a person you choose as a romantic partner or special friend on Valentine's Day, 14 February — for example, someone you send a card or give a gift to on that day.

Example

Mira asked her classmate Eli to be her valentine this year.

ask + someone + to be + possessive + valentine — common invitation pattern

Every Valentine's Day, Feng sends a red rose to his valentine.

Common collocations
  • be my valentine
  • secret valentine
  • choose a valentine
  • ask someone to be your valentine
Synonyms
  • sweetheart

    more general and old-fashioned term of endearment; not tied specifically to Valentine's Day

  • girlfriend / boyfriend

    refers to an ongoing romantic relationship, not a one-day tradition

  • lover

    implies a more intimate relationship and sounds more formal or dramatic

Grammar Patterns

possessive determiner + valentine

be + possessive + valentine

Usage Note

Commonly used with possessive determiners (my, your, her, his) — e.g., 'Will you be my valentine?' and 'She made a card for her valentine.'

Common Mistakes

I bought a valentine for my mother.' (when meaning a greeting card)
I bought a valentine card for my mother.
use 'valentine card' for the physical object; 'valentine' alone refers to the person.

2. a decorated greeting card exchanged on 14 February as a way to show romantic aff

2.nounB1
Definition

a decorated greeting card exchanged on 14 February as a way to show romantic affection, often sent without revealing who the sender is.

Example

Nikhil bought a beautiful valentine for his girlfriend last week.

The teacher helped the students make valentines for their parents.

make + valentine — common classroom activity

Common collocations
  • send a valentine
  • make a valentine
  • receive a valentine
  • sign a valentine
  • anonymous valentine
Synonyms
  • love letter

    a written message expressing love, longer and more personal than a decorated card

  • greeting card

    a general term for any decorated card for any occasion, not specific to romance or Valentine's Day

Grammar Patterns

send + valentine

make + valentine

receive + a valentine

Usage Note

Often sent anonymously (without the sender's name), traditionally to express shy affection. The plural form 'valentines' commonly refers to a collection of cards made or exchanged.

Common Mistakes

She sent a valentine to her valentine.' (confusing both senses)
She sent a valentine card to her secret valentine.
add 'card' when referring to the object so the meaning is clear.

Word family

  • Valentine's Day
    nounA2

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

'Valentine' specifically refers to someone you choose or express affection for on Valentine's Day (14 February), while 'sweetheart' is a more general, old-fashioned term of endearment for someone you love. 'Boyfriend' or 'girlfriend' describes a current, ongoing romantic relationship and is far more common in everyday conversation. 'Lover' implies a more intimate, often physical relationship and can sound dramatic or formal. Use 'valentine' when the context is specifically tied to Valentine's Day traditions. For example: 'She asked him to be her valentine' vs. 'He is her boyfriend' vs. 'They are longtime sweethearts.'

sweetheart ↗boyfriend / girlfriendlover ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

  • Valentine's Day

Phrases

  • on Valentine's Day
  • on February fourteenth

Etymology

LatinMiddle EnglishEnglish

The word comes from Saint Valentine, a third-century Roman priest who secretly performed marriages for soldiers despite a ban by Emperor Claudius II. The custom of sending love messages on 14 February began during the Middle Ages. By the 1400s, 'valentine' was already used to mean both the sweetheart chosen on that day and the card sent to them.