Veteran — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

noun adjective /ˈve-tə-rən/ vet·er·an

Meaning & Definition of Veteran

Veteran (noun)

  1. a former member of the armed forces
  2. an old soldier of long service
  3. a person of long experience usually in some occupation or skill (such as politics or the arts)

Veteran (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. a person with long experience in a specified area

    "as a veteran of overseas travel, she gave us solid advice about planning our trip"

    similar: doyen, old hand, old-timer, stager, vet, warhorse
    related: doyenne, adept, dab hand (chiefly British), expert, guru, hand, master, maven, past master, pro, professional
    opposite: beginner, colt, fledgling, freshman, greenhorn, neophyte, newbie, newcomer, novice, recruit, rookie, tenderfoot, tyro
    near: apprentice, cub, boot, novitiate, amateur, dilettante, learner, student, trainee, candidate, entrant, probationer

Veteran (adjective) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. having or showing exceptional knowledge, experience, or skill in a field of endeavor

    "a veteran teacher who mentors new teachers"

    similar: accomplished, ace, adept, compleat, complete, consummate, crack, crackerjack, educated, experienced, expert, good, great, master, masterful, masterly, practiced, professed, proficient, skilled, skillful, versed, virtuoso
    related: adroit, clever, deft, dexterous, handy, slick, sure-handed, gifted, talented, polished, refined, effective, effectual, efficient, workmanlike, able, capable, competent, employable, fit, fitted, habile, qualified, knowledgeable, schooled, taught, trained, tutored, all-around, well-rounded, long-term, old, multiskilled, multitalented
    opposite: amateur, amateurish, inexperienced, inexpert, jackleg, unprofessional, unseasoned, unskilled, unskillful
    near: incapable, incompetent, inept, unable, unfit, unfitted, unqualified, weak, artless, crude, rude, ineffective, ineffectual, inefficient, talentless, ungifted, untalented, ignorant, unschooled, untaught, untrained, untutored, beginning, green, inexperienced, new, raw, unseasoned, untested, untried, would-be, primitive, rough, unpolished, awkward, clumsy, ham-fisted, ham-handed, heavy-handed

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Veteran

The most common words with a similar meaning to Veteran:

doyen, old hand, old-timer, stager, vet, warhorse, accomplished, ace, adept, compleat, complete, consummate, crack, crackerjack, educated, experienced, expert, good, great, master, masterful, masterly, practiced, professed, proficient, skilled, skillful, versed, virtuoso

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Veteran

Words with the opposite meaning of Veteran:

beginner, colt, fledgling, freshman, greenhorn, neophyte, newbie, newcomer, novice, recruit, rookie, tenderfoot, tyro, amateur, amateurish, inexperienced, inexpert, jackleg, unprofessional, unseasoned, unskilled, unskillful

Related Words for Veteran

doyenne, dab hand, guru, hand, maven, past master, pro, professional, adroit, clever, deft, dexterous, handy, slick, sure-handed, gifted, talented, polished, refined, effective, effectual, efficient, workmanlike, able, capable, competent, employable, fit, fitted, habile

Near Antonyms of Veteran

apprentice, cub, boot, novitiate, dilettante, learner, student, trainee, candidate, entrant, probationer, incapable, incompetent, inept, unable, unfit, unfitted, unqualified, weak, artless, crude, rude, ineffective, ineffectual, inefficient, talentless, ungifted, untalented, ignorant, unschooled

Word Forms of Veteran

Derived words: veteran (adjective)

Origin & Etymology of Veteran

Latin veteranus, from veteranus, adjective, old, of long experience, from veter-, vetus old wether

First known use: 1509

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Veteran

Frequently Asked Questions about Veteran

What does "Veteran" mean?

"Veteran" means a former member of the armed forces. As an a noun and an adjective, it is defined as: a former member of the armed forces. It has 2 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Veteran"?

Other words for "Veteran" include doyen, old hand, old-timer, stager, vet, warhorse, accomplished and ace. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Veteran" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Veteran"?

There are 71 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Veteran". Common alternatives include doyen, old hand, old-timer, stager, vet, warhorse, accomplished, ace, adept and compleat.

What is the opposite of "Veteran"?

Antonyms of "Veteran" include beginner, colt, fledgling, freshman, greenhorn, neophyte, newbie and newcomer. Near antonyms include apprentice, cub, boot and novitiate.

How do you use "Veteran" in a sentence?

Examples of "Veteran" in a sentence: "as a veteran of overseas travel, she gave us solid advice about planning our trip"; "a veteran teacher who mentors new teachers".

Is "Veteran" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Veteran" can be used as a noun and an adjective, depending on the context.

Is "Veteran" useful for IELTS, TOEFL, and other English exams?

As a C1-level word, "Veteran" is typical of Cambridge C1 Advanced (CAE), IELTS band 7.0–8.0, TOEFL iBT 95–113, PTE Academic 76–84, TOEIC Listening & Reading 945+. Advanced words like this are also useful for the GRE, SAT, GMAT, and LSAT.

How do you pronounce "Veteran"?

"Veteran" is pronounced /ˈve-tə-rən/ and divided into syllables as vet·er·an.