# valentine

/ˈvæɫənˌtaɪn/ (US) · /vˈæləntˌaɪn/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/valentine
Updated: 2026-08-15

## Senses

### 1. a card or gift

noun · CEFR B1

a card, message, or small gift that you send to someone you love or like on February 14th.

For teachers: a greeting card or token of affection sent, often anonymously, to a romantic interest or partner on Saint Valentine's Day.

- He spent the whole evening making a handmade valentine for his girlfriend.
- The tradition of sending elaborate paper valentines flourished in the nineteenth century, often featuring intricate lace patterns and romantic verse.

### 2. a person

noun · CEFR B1

the person you give a card to or spend time with on February 14th.

For teachers: a person singled out as a sweetheart or recipient of a greeting on Saint Valentine's Day.

- She was so happy when he asked her to be his valentine.
- In primary schools, children often exchange small treats so that every student feels included as someone's valentine.

### 3. Saint Valentine

noun · CEFR C1 · Formal

the Christian saint from long ago whose name is used for the holiday on February 14th.

For teachers: a third-century Christian martyr associated with the tradition of courtly love and the modern holiday.

- The holiday is named after Saint Valentine, who lived in ancient Rome.
- Historical records regarding the life of Saint Valentine remain fragmentary, leading to various legends about his role in performing secret marriages.

## Examples

- Will you be my Valentine this year?
- He spent the entire morning writing a heartfelt message inside a handmade Valentine for his wife.
- The tradition of sending an anonymous Valentine flourished during the Victorian era, as improvements in the postal service made it easier to exchange tokens of affection discreetly.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.