2 syllables: Val, id. Stress on Val.
VAL-id
/ˈvælɪd/
Valid is pronounced VAL-id (/ˈvælɪd/). It has two syllables (Val-id), with the stress on "Val". Valid is an adjective meaning legally or logically acceptable or sound. It also describes something founded on truth or facts. In everyday use, it can refer to arguments, reasons, or documents that hold up under scrutiny.
adjectiveValid is an adjective meaning legally or logically acceptable or sound. It also describes something founded on truth or facts. In everyday use, it can refer to arguments, reasons, or documents that hold up under scrutiny.
How to Pronounce Valid
"The contract is valid until the end of the year."
"Her argument is valid if she provides supporting data."
"Please bring a valid form of ID to the check-in counter."
Pronounce it as /ˈvæl.ɪd/ in US and UK English, with the first syllable stressed. The vowels are short, with a clear, quick second syllable /ɪd/. Ensure the 'l' is light and not a dark L. You can think 'VAL-id' where the first vowel is like 'cat' and the second is the short 'i' as in 'sit'. Audio reference: listen to standard pronunciations on reputable dictionaries or pronunciation resources; try saying it slowly at first, then speed up while keeping the same rhythm.
Common mistakes include reducing the second syllable to a schwa or omitting the /l/ in rapid speech, producing /ˈvæ.dɪ/ or 'vah-lid' with a weak second syllable. Another error is over-articulating the 'l' or blending /l/ with /ɪ/ into something like /ˈvælɪd/ with a prolonged vowel. To correct: keep the /ɪ/ crisp and short, pronounce the /l/ clearly before the /ɪ/, and end strongly with /d/ rather than a light vowel.
In US English, the stress remains on the first syllable: /ˈvæl.ɪd/. UK English often keeps the same pattern but with a slightly shorter /æ/ and a crisper /l/, sometimes sounding like /ˈvæ.lɪd/ depending on the dialect. Australian English mirrors US/UK patterns but can feature a more centralized /ɪ/ and a subtle vowel tilt toward /ə/. The key is that rhotics, vowel quality, and syllable timing vary by region, but the basic /ˈvæl.ɪd/ skeleton holds.
The difficulty lies in the rapid transition between a strong /æ/ or /æ/ variant in the first syllable and a short, clipped /ɪ/ in the second, while maintaining a light, clear /l/ and final /d/. Non-native speakers may merge /æl/ into /aːl/ or insert an extra vowel, creating /ˈvæl.ɪd/ with an unintended vowel length or a weak consonant at the end. Practice with careful, segmented articulation and then blend.
The typical pronunciation in connected speech is two syllables: /ˈvæl.ɪd/. The first syllable contains /æ/ as in 'cat', the second is a short /ɪ/ with a final /d/. You’ll often hear slight elision in very fast speech, keeping it as two chunks rather than three even when rapid. Notably, stress remains on the first syllable, guiding rhythm in sentences like 'This is a valid point.'
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Valid comes from the Latin validus meaning strong, mighty, or effective. The root val- relates to power or worth, seen in words like value and evaluate. In Medieval Latin, validus evolved to describe something powerful or legally enforceable, which carried into Old French and then English in the late 14th century. The sense of being legally effective—especially in law and contract—emerged as commerce and governance required formal recognition of rights and obligations. Throughout the 16th to 18th centuries, 'valid' broadened to include arguments, propositions, and theories that are logically sound or factually substantiated. The pronunciation settled toward the current stress pattern on the first syllable, with the 'a' typically pronounced as /æ/ in American and /ɑː/ in much of UK usage, though regional variation occurs. The word remains central in legal, philosophical, and scientific discourse, preserving the core idea of worth, strength, and credibility across contexts.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "Valid" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "Valid" and show contrast in usage.
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Words that rhyme with "Valid"
-led sounds
-me) sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
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