Definitions
01former soldier
B2 · Upper Intermediate Countable noun
n. someone who was a member of the army, navy, or air force, especially during a war.
n. a person who has served in the armed forces, particularly one who has seen combat or served during a period of conflict.
“The town held a parade to honour the veterans who fought in the war.”
“The government announced a new initiative to provide mental health support and vocational training for veterans transitioning back to civilian life.”
Usage
Often used with 'war' as in 'war veteran'.
Synonyms
02experienced person
C1 · Advanced Countable noun Formal
n. someone who has done a job or activity for a long time and knows it very well.
n. an individual with long-standing experience and expertise in a specific field or activity.
“As a veteran of the tech industry, she knew exactly how to handle the crisis.”
“The political veteran navigated the complex negotiations with a level of poise that only decades of experience could provide.”
03highly experienced
C1 · Advanced Formal
adj. having a lot of experience in a particular area.
adj. possessing extensive experience or having served for a long period in a specific capacity.
“The team signed a veteran player to help lead the younger athletes.”
“The veteran journalist refused to publish the story until she had verified the claims with three independent sources.”
Synonyms
Antonyms
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “veteran” in context.
Verb
01. consult a veteran
“The director decided to consult a veteran of the industry to ensure the historical details were accurate.”
verb + noun
02. honor the veterans
“Every November, the town gathers at the memorial to honor the veterans who served in the world wars.”
verb + noun
Adjective
03. battle-scarred veteran
“The documentary features interviews with battle-scarred veterans who shared their experiences of the front lines.”
adj + noun
04. grizzled veteran
“A grizzled veteran of the newsroom sat in the corner, typing away on an old mechanical keyboard.”
adj + noun
05. seasoned veteran
“As a seasoned veteran of the tech industry, she knew exactly how to handle the sudden market crash.”
adj + noun
Noun
06. combat veteran
“The organization provides specialized counseling services for combat veterans returning from active duty.”
noun + noun
07. veteran of the stage
“The veteran of the stage delivered a flawless performance that left the younger actors in awe.”
noun + of + noun
08. veteran status
“He was granted veteran status after serving twenty years in the Royal Air Force.”
noun + noun
Real-World Examples
“Wes Moore, Maryland’s Democratic governor and a military veteran, on Sunday also sharply criticized Trump’s response to concerns about the mental health and living conditions of those aboard the Lincoln.” “The group, called Swift Partners, includes several seasoned retail veterans, one of them a former boss of Co-operative Group.” Etymology
Borrowed from Middle French vétéran, from Latin veterānus.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Domain
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Common
- Level
- C1 · AdvancedOxford
- Updated
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/veteran
「カタカナ語」 data: JMdict (EDRDG), CC BY-SA 4.0