valiantly
C2Pronunciation
UK
- /vˈælɪəntli/
US
- /ˈvæljəntli/
Description
- bravely
- courageously
- heroically
To act valiantly means to do something with great bravery and determination, especially when there is danger or serious difficulty. Think of a knight riding into battle: he does not simply go forward; he goes forward with courage and honor. You might use the word for a firefighter rescuing someone from a burning building, or for a small animal defending its young. It often appears in stories of adventure and heroism and carries a sense of noble, old-style bravery.
"Valiantly" describes doing something with exceptional courage, boldness, and determination, often when the situation is dangerous or the odds are against success. It means more than simply being brave. It also suggests a noble spirit and a strong commitment to what is right or necessary. The word is the adverb form of "valiant," and it is closely connected to "valor," which means bravery.
You will often see "valiantly" in stories about knights, heroes, soldiers, rescuers, or anyone facing a serious challenge with courage under pressure. For example: "The small band of soldiers valiantly defended the castle against the invading army." Another example is: "Despite her illness, she valiantly continued to work on her masterpiece."
The word can be used literally for physical courage, but it also works in a wider, figurative way. You might say someone "valiantly fought their battle with cancer," meaning they faced the illness with strength and resilience. So the idea is not only that a person did something brave, but that they did it with honor, spirit, and steady resolve.
Compared with simply saying someone was "brave," using "valiantly" adds a stronger feeling of admiration. It highlights both the person's character and the way they faced hardship. The word often makes the action sound memorable, noble, and worth telling as part of a larger story of courage.
Examples
- 1
Emergency response
The firefighters worked valiantly through the night to control the blaze.
- 2
Illness
She fought valiantly against a long illness and kept encouraging everyone around her.
- 3
Sports
The smaller team played valiantly, even though they lost in the final minutes.
- 4
Humorous effort
I valiantly tried to stay awake during the last hour of the flight, but I fell asleep anyway.
Usage
valiantly tried to + verb can sound slightly humorous when someone makes a brave effort but still fails
Forms and spellings
1 form open this card.
Main spelling
- valiantlyadverb