Meaning & use
valedictorian position
Last updated
Meaning
nouncountableAmerican
The role or rank of the top student in a graduating class, who traditionally gives the farewell speech at the ceremony.
Grammar: Usually used with 'the' or a possessive: 'her valedictorian position', 'the valedictorian position'.
Patterns
- the valedictorian position
- hold the valedictorian position
- earn the valedictorian position
She worked extremely hard and finally earned the valedictorian position in her class.
The valedictorian position is not just about grades; it also involves giving a speech to the whole school.
He was proud to hold the valedictorian position at his high school graduation.
Common combinations
- earn the valedictorian position
- To earn the valedictorian position, you need top grades throughout all four years.
- hold the valedictorian position
- She held the valedictorian position for the entire senior year.
- valedictorian position at a school
- The valedictorian position at our school is announced in May.
- compete for the valedictorian position
- Several students were competing for the valedictorian position.
Synonyms and how they differ
- top student
- A general term for the highest-achieving student, but it does not imply the specific honor of giving the graduation speech.
- first in class
- Similar meaning, but often used in a broader sense and not limited to the graduation ceremony role.
Opposites
Word family
- valedictorian noun
- The student who holds this position and gives the farewell speech.
- valedictory adjective
- Relating to a farewell speech or address.
Commonly confused: valedictorian position or salutatorian position?
valedictorian position vs salutatorian position
The salutatorian is the second-highest-ranking student, who gives the welcome speech, not the farewell speech.
Practice
In American high schools, who typically holds the valedictorian position?
Choose one answer.
The valedictorian position is awarded to the top academic student, who usually gives the farewell speech. The other options describe different roles.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “valedictorian position”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.