valid

Meanings

1. 1adjectivecomparable

   Based on good reasons or facts, so that others should accept it.

   Grammar: Used before a noun or after be: a valid point; the argument is valid.

   Patterns

   • a valid reason
   • a valid argument

   She raised a valid point about the budget.

   You need a valid reason to miss the exam.

   His complaint was valid, so the store apologized.

2. 2adjectiveafter a verb

   Officially acceptable or still in effect, as a ticket or document is.

   Grammar: Often followed by for or until: valid for one year.

   Patterns

   • valid for something
   • valid until something

   Your passport must be valid for six months.

   The ticket is valid until the end of the month.

   This coupon is not valid on sale items.

3. 3adjectivenot comparabletechnical

   In logic, describing an argument whose conclusion must follow from its premises.

   Grammar: Technical sense: an argument is valid or not, with no degrees.

   Patterns

   • a valid argument

   The argument is valid, though one premise is false.

   A valid syllogism guarantees its conclusion.

   The proof was checked and found valid.

4. 4adjectivenot comparablecomputing

   In computing, accepted by a program as correctly formed.

   Grammar: Applies to inputs, codes or formats.

   Patterns

   • a valid email address

   Please enter a valid email address.

   The form rejects any password that is not valid.

   Only valid file types can be uploaded.

Common combinations

a valid point

You make a valid point about the schedule.

valid passport

You need a valid passport to travel.

valid reason

He had a valid reason for being late.

valid for

The pass is valid for three days.

remain valid

The offer remains valid until Friday.

legally valid

The contract is legally valid.

Synonyms and how they differ

sound

Sound describes reasoning that is well founded, while valid can also mean officially acceptable.

legitimate

Legitimate stresses being allowed by law or rules, or fair, whereas valid is broader.

reasonable

Reasonable is about fairness and sense, while valid is about acceptable grounds.

legal

Legal only concerns the law, while valid can refer to arguments and documents too.

Opposites

Word family

validity noun

the state of being valid

validate verb

to confirm that something is correct or acceptable

validation noun

the process of confirming something is valid

invalid adjective

not accepted or not in force

validly adverb

in a way that is acceptable

Commonly confused: valid or invalid?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “valid”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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