# valid

/ˈvæɫɪd/ (US) · /vˈælɪd/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/valid
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. legally acceptable

adjective · CEFR B1

officially acceptable and able to be used because it follows the rules.

For teachers: legally or officially binding or acceptable; meeting the necessary requirements for use.

- You need a valid passport to travel to another country.
- The ticket inspector noted that the passenger's pass was no longer valid, as it had expired three days prior to the journey.

Usage: Often used with documents like passports, tickets, or contracts.

### 2. logical or reasonable

adjective · CEFR B2 · Academic

based on sensible reasons or facts that people can agree with.

For teachers: well-grounded or justifiable; based on truth or sound reasoning.

- She raised some valid points during the meeting about the budget.
- While the theory is controversial, the researcher provided several valid arguments supported by recent statistical data.

Usage: Commonly describes points, arguments, reasons, or concerns.

### 3. logical truth

adjective · CEFR C1 · Technical · Academic

in logic, an argument where the conclusion must be true if the starting ideas are true.

For teachers: relating to an argument whose form is such that if the premises are true, the conclusion must also be true.

- The professor explained why the student's conclusion followed a valid logical path.
- In formal logic, a valid argument does not necessarily have true premises, but its structure ensures the conclusion follows from them.

Teaching tip: In academic contexts, remind students that 'valid' refers to the structure of the logic, while 'true' refers to the facts themselves.

## Examples

- Your passport must be valid for at least six months.
- The researcher raised several valid points about the study's small sample size during the meeting.
- While the logic of the argument is technically valid, the conclusion remains questionable because the initial assumptions are based on outdated data.

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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.