Valentine Meaning
/ˈvaləntaɪn/Definition, CEFR level A1, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
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Definition
nounAn expression of affection, especially romantic affection, usually in the form of greeting card, gift, or message given the object of one's affection, especially on February 14th.
nounA person to whom a valentine is given or from whom it is received, especially on February 14th.
Sentence Examples
I'll stop giving them chocolate on Valentine's Day.
It is a silly practice for non-Christians to send chocolates on St. Valentine's Day.
She enclosed a little dark chocolate in her valentine.
CEFR Practice Quiz
He always writes a sweet poem for his ____ on February 14th.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
He sent a beautiful red rose and a romantic card to his ____ on the fourteenth of February earlier this year today.
Word Origin & History
From Saint Valentine's Day (“day of celebration of romantic love”).
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"To morrow is ſaint Valentines day, / All in the morning betime, / And a maide at your window, / To be your Valentine: […]"
— c. 1599–1602 (date written), William Shake-speare, The Tragicall Historie of Hamlet, Prince of Denmarke: […] (First Quarto), London: […] [Valentine Simmes] for N[icholas] L[ing] and Iohn Trundell, published 1603, →OCLC, [Act IV, scene v], signature H2, recto:
"Valentine’s Day means different things for different people. For Homer, it means forking over a hundred dollars for a dusty box of chocolates at the Kwik-E-Mart after characteristically forgetting the holiday yet again. For Ned, it’s another opportunity to prove his love for his wife. Most germane to the episode, for Lisa, Valentine’s Day means being the only person in her entire class to give Ralph a Valentine after noticing him looking crestfallen and alone at his desk."
— 2012 August 5, Nathan Rabin, “The Simpsons (Classic): ‘I Love Lisa’ ”, in The AV Club, archived from the original on 29 Jul 2016:
Explore More A1 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
He always writes a sweet poem for his ____ on February 14th.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
He sent a beautiful red rose and a romantic card to his ____ on the fourteenth of February earlier this year today.