val
n. countable B1 Intermediate US //ˈvæɫ// val
n. a short, friendly way to say the name Valentine or Valerie. People use it when they know someone well and want to be casual.
n. a shortened, hypocoristic form of the given names Valentine or Valerie. Used primarily in informal social contexts among acquaintances or friends.
My friend Val is coming over for dinner tonight.
Since her full name is Valerie, most of her colleagues just call her Val in the office.
While the legal documents required her full name, she preferred to be introduced as Val during the informal networking event to appear more approachable to the new recruits.
Usage
Used as a proper noun; typically capitalized even in its shortened form.