Valentine: meaning, definitions and examples
❤️
valentine
[ ˈvælənˌtaɪn ]
romantic gift
A valentine is traditionally a card or gift given to someone on Valentine's Day to express love and affection. It often features romantic messages, poems, or symbols such as hearts. The act of giving a valentine is a way to celebrate romantic relationships and friendship.
Synonyms
Examples of usage
- She received a beautiful valentine from her secret admirer.
- He wrote a heartfelt message in his valentine for her.
- Valentines are exchanged among friends and lovers each February.
Valentine's Day
Valentine refers to the celebration of Saint Valentine, a day observed on February 14th in many countries, commemorating the lives of saints named Valentine. It has evolved into a day where people express love and affection through gifts and cards.
Synonyms
February 14, St. Valentine
Examples of usage
- Many couples go out for a romantic dinner on Valentine’s Day.
- Children exchange valentines in school to share friendship.
- The store had many decorations for Valentine’s Day.
Translations
Translations of the word "valentine" in other languages:
🇵🇹 valentim
🇮🇳 वैलेंटाइन
🇩🇪 Valentin
🇮🇩 valentine
🇺🇦 валентин
🇵🇱 walentynki
🇯🇵 バレンタイン
🇫🇷 Valentin
🇪🇸 San Valentín
🇹🇷 Sevgililer Günü
🇰🇷 발렌타인
🇸🇦 فالنتاين
🇨🇿 Valentýn
🇸🇰 Valentín
🇨🇳 情人节
🇸🇮 Valentin
🇮🇸 Valentínus
🇰🇿 Валентин
🇬🇪 ვალენტინი
🇦🇿 sevgililər günü
🇲🇽 Día de San Valentín
Etymology
The term 'valentine' originates from the Latin name 'Valentinus', which means 'strength' or 'healthy'. It is associated with various Christian martyrs named Valentine, especially Saint Valentine of Rome, who was executed on February 14th, around 269 AD. Over the centuries, this date transformed into a celebration of romantic love, particularly in the Middle Ages when courtly love grew popular. By the 18th century, it became common for friends and lovers in all social classes to exchange small tokens of affection, such as handwritten notes. The tradition of sending valentines continued to grow, leading to the mass production of greeting cards in the 19th century, further embedding the practice into modern culture.