veteran
C1Neutral to formal. Common in news, official documents, commemorative contexts. Can be informal when describing experience in non-military fields.
Definition
Meaning
A person who has served in the armed forces; a person with long experience in a particular field or activity.
Can refer to any highly experienced individual, sometimes implying old-fashioned or traditional qualities. In US contexts, strongly associated with military service and benefits.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The military sense is primary and often capitalised ('Veteran') in official titles (e.g., Veterans Affairs). The extended sense implies respect for accumulated wisdom but can occasionally hint at being outdated.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
In the UK, the word is used for both military and general experience. In the US, the military connotation is overwhelmingly dominant, almost default, especially when used as a noun alone.
Connotations
UK: Respectful for service, but also common in sports/arts ('a veteran actor'). US: Strongly patriotic, tied to social benefits and national identity. Can carry political weight.
Frequency
Higher frequency in US English due to pervasive cultural and political discourse around military veterans.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
veteran of [war/conflict]veteran in [field/profession]veteran with [organisation]Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “A veteran of many campaigns”
- “To be a veteran of the industry”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Used to describe someone with decades of industry experience. e.g., 'We brought in a veteran consultant.'
Academic
Appears in historical, political science, and sociological texts discussing post-service life, policy.
Everyday
Common on holidays like Remembrance Day (UK) or Veterans Day (US). Also for sports/entertainment figures.
Technical
In US legal/administrative contexts, refers specifically to individuals eligible for benefits under Title 38.
Examples
By Part of Speech
noun
British English
- The village is holding a lunch for local veterans.
- He's a veteran of the London theatre scene.
American English
- My grandfather is a Vietnam War veteran.
- The new policy aims to support homeless veterans.
adjective
British English
- The veteran MP gave a stirring farewell speech.
- They entered a veteran car in the rally.
American English
- The veteran senator knows how to navigate a filibuster.
- He plays with veteran savvy.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- He is a war veteran.
- She is a veteran teacher.
- The veteran firefighter calmly directed the new team.
- Many veterans find civilian life challenging.
- As a veteran of three startup companies, she knew the pitfalls.
- The bill provides enhanced healthcare for disabled veterans.
- His perspective was that of a grizzled veteran, wary of yet another market bubble.
- The political veteran adeptly deflected the interviewer's most pointed questions.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
VETeran: Think of a VET (animal doctor) who has seen it all, or a VET from the army who has been through it all.
Conceptual Metaphor
EXPERIENCE IS A BATTLE / LIFE IS A CAMPAIGN (e.g., 'a veteran of the advertising wars').
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- False friend with 'ветеран' - while meaning aligns, cultural weight and default military association differ, especially regarding US usage.
- Do not confuse with 'veterinarian' (ветеринар).
Common Mistakes
- Using 'veteran' to mean simply 'old' without the connotation of skill/experience. *'This is a veteran building.' (Incorrect)
- Confusing 'veteran' (noun/adj) with 'veterinarian' (noun).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the word 'veteran' LEAST likely to be interpreted as referring to military service?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, but it's often metaphorical or hyperbolic. e.g., 'At 25, she's a veteran of five tech startups.' It still implies unusual depth of experience for age.
A veteran has served and been discharged, not necessarily retired from a full career. 'Retired' often implies completing full service (e.g., 20+ years) and drawing a pension.
No, it is the standard, respectful term. However, some individuals may have personal preferences (e.g., 'former soldier', 'ex-service member'). Context and local custom matter.
No, 'veteran' is only a noun or adjective. The related verb is 'to vet' (examine thoroughly), which has a different etymology and meaning.