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Glite Dictionary
valedictory address

valedictory address

1 8.1
A formal speech by a top student that says goodbye at a graduation ceremony
  • noun
  • /ˌvælɪˈdɪktəri əˈdrɛs/
  • Formal
translation icon : discurso de despedida
  • As he stepped to the podium, all eyes were on him, eager to hear his valedictory address marking the end of a memorable academic year.
  • deliver the valedictory address

Examples

  • The principal's valedictory address emphasized the importance of perseverance and hard work as the students prepared to leave for college.

  • ...to deliver the valedictory address.

    Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again (2018)

  • They were in his valedictory address:

    Blog text (25)

  • I'm sorry to tell you this, but you're not going to be able to deliver your valedictory address this Saturday.

    The Sickhouse (2008)

  • In one of his valedictory addresses, he blamed Congress for "on-again, off-again indecisiveness in resisting Sandinista tyranny and aggression" that "left Central America a region of continuing danger."

    Academic text (1990)

  • During the graduation ceremony, she delivered a heartfelt valedictory address to her classmates, reflecting on their journey together.

Synonyms

speech
vsvaledictory address
  • Formal
∞ 1.8

A formal talk given to an audience to inform or persuade

is the specific graduation farewell typically delivered by a standout class member
address
vsvaledictory address
  • Formal
212 5.3

A formal speech given to a group of people

is the ceremonial graduation farewell usually given by an outstanding class member
oration
vsvaledictory address
  • Formal
6 7.6

A formal speech given at a special event

is the formal graduation farewell usually delivered by an outstanding class member
valedictory
vsvaledictory address
  • Formal
1 8.8

A farewell speech often given by the top student at graduation

is the full two-word formal name emphasizing the official ceremonial speech
final speech
vsvaledictory address
1 3.5

The last talk a person gives before leaving a job or event

is a ceremonial graduation farewell delivered by a top student, not any last talk
valediction
vsvaledictory address
  • Formal
1 9.6

A formal speech or words that say goodbye, often at a ceremony

is the specific formal farewell used at graduation ceremonies
baccalaureate
vsvaledictory address
  • Formal
1 9.9

A speech given to a graduating class before their graduation ceremony

is a ceremonial graduation farewell focused on an outstanding class member, not religious
valedictory oration
vsvaledictory address
  • Formal
9.0

A formal goodbye speech given by a top student at a graduation ceremony

is the same meaning but named with a different formal noun

How Formal

valedictory address
  • Formal
1 8.1
valediction
  • Formal
1 9.6
farewell
199 1.9
goodbye
∞ 1.0
bye
  • Informal
306 1.0

Surface Forms

valedictory address singular
valedictory addresses plural

Morphology

valedictory + address

The meaning 'a formal farewell speech' is directly compositional from 'valedictory' (formal farewell) + 'address' (speech); this adjective+noun combination follows standard English formation and is easily inferred by a learner who knows both words. The concept maps clearly onto similar constructions in other languages, reinforcing its predictability.

Etymology

Valedictory address comes from Latin words: vale ('farewell') and dicere ('to speak'). So a valedictory address is a speech that 'says goodbye' at a 'graduation' ceremony.