Words / B2

VET-uh-r-uh-n/ˈvetərən/

A veteran is someone with long experience, especially a former member of the armed forces: a war veteran; a veteran teacher. Expert is about skill, not years. A war veteran spoke in the Remembrance assembly. Mix-up: vet is an animal doctor (already in the dictionary). Do not call a newly qualified teacher a veteran.

Meaning

A person with long experience, especially a former member of the armed forces.

Examples

• “A war veteran spoke in the Remembrance assembly, not a celebrity guest.”
• “A veteran head of year chaired the panel, which is the long-service sense.”

Good to know

a war / combat veteran; a veteran of + field. Trap: vet (animal doctor). History, news, and HR. Long experience, not a pet clinic.

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