English Lexicon

Veteran

/ˈvɛt.ər.ən/
nounadjectiveCEFR B2 (Upper)Top #4500 frequency
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Comprehensive Definitions & Senses

2 senses
As noun
  1. 1

    A person who has had long experience in a particular occupation, field, or military service.

    "As a seasoned veteran of the tech industry, she easily navigated the complex merger."
As adjective
  1. 1

    Having had long experience in a particular activity or domain.

    "The team relied on veteran leadership to win the championship game."

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Antonyms & Contrasting Words (1)

Linguistic Origin & Historical Etymology

Derived from the Latin adjective 'vetus', meaning 'old', transitioning through the Latin noun 'veteranus' which historically denoted a long-serving Roman soldier. Entering English in the 17th century, the term initially referred strictly to experienced former military personnel before broadening metaphorically to signify anyone with long experience in a particular field.

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