ENGLISH
REFERENCE

valentino

n. countable
C2 Proficiency US //ˌvæɫənˈtinoʊ// valenti·no Archaic

n. a man who is very handsome and successful at attracting women. It comes from the name of a famous silent movie star who was known as a great lover.

n. a man who is exceptionally handsome and successful in romantic pursuits. Derived from the screen persona of the 1920s actor Rudolph Valentino; often used with a slightly ironic or old-fashioned tone.


SIMPLE

He thinks he is a real Valentino with that new haircut.

CONTEXTUAL

The older generation often referred to any charming young man in a suit as a Valentino, though the term has largely faded from modern speech.

COMPLEX

While the term once evoked the peak of cinematic masculinity, calling someone a Valentino today usually implies a certain performative or dated style of romantic pursuit.

Usage

Often used with the indefinite article ('a Valentino') or as a proper noun when referring to the historical figure.

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