valetudinary

1 of 2

adjective

val·​e·​tu·​di·​nary ËŒva-lÉ™-ˈtü-dÉ™-ˈner-Ä“ How to pronounce valetudinary (audio)
-ˈtyü-
Synonyms of valetudinarynext
: valetudinarian

valetudinary

2 of 2

noun

plural valetudinaries
: valetudinarian

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

borrowed from Latin valētūdinārius "incapacitated by ill health, invalid," from valētūdin-, valētūdō "good health, health in general, illness" (from valēre "to have strength, be well" + -tūdin-, -tūdō, suffix forming abstract nouns) + -ārius -ary entry 2 — more at wield

Noun

noun derivative of valetudinary entry 1

First Known Use

Adjective

1581, in the meaning defined above

Noun

1665, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of valetudinary was in 1581

Rhymes for valetudinary

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Browse Nearby Words

valetudinarianism
valetudinary
valgus
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Cite this Entry

“Valetudinary.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/valetudinary. Accessed 27 Mar. 2026.

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