Etymology Map
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Valid

3 stages from Latin to English.

Today it means legally binding; well founded

Where does the word "valid" come from? It comes from Latin validus, passing through French before entering English (1570s).

1
Stage 1 of 3
validus
Latin · ancient
"strong"
from 'valere', to be strong
2
Stage 2 of 3
valide
French · 1500s
"valid"
Latin 'validus' meant strong, from 'valere', to be strong; in English it first meant legally binding, in the 1570s
3
Stage 3 of 3
valid
English · 1570s
"legally sound"
'valid argument' dates from the 1600s
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Read the full story

Valid’s story begins in Latin: validus meant “strong.” From 'valere', to be strong. By 1500s, the word had taken hold in French as valide. Latin 'validus' meant strong, from 'valere', to be strong; in English it first meant legally binding, in the 1570s. It reached English by 1570s as valid. 'valid argument' dates from the 1600s. Today, valid means legally binding; well founded.