Definition

1. Noun:
   • A member of the United States Army Special Forces: A "green beret" is a soldier who belongs to the U.S. Army's elite special operations force, formally known as the Special Forces. The term originates from the distinctive green beret that serves as their official headgear and symbol.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • He trained for years to become a green beret. (This describes a soldier who achieved membership in the Special Forces.)
  • The mission was carried out by a team of green berets. (This refers to a group of these specialized soldiers.)
  • The green beret is a symbol of exceptional skill and dedication. (Here, the term refers to the soldier, emphasizing the symbolic value of the role.)

Advanced Usage

• The term is often used metonymically, where "Green Beret" can refer to the U.S. Army Special Forces as an organization, though its primary meaning is the individual soldier.
  • The Green Beret has a long history of unconventional warfare. (This could refer to the institution's history.)
• It is commonly capitalized as "Green Beret" when referring to the formal title or the organization.

Variants and Related Words

• Special Forces (n): The official name of the U.S. Army unit to which green berets belong.
• Special Forces soldier (n): A more formal or descriptive synonym for a green beret.
• Green Berets (n, plural): The collective term for these soldiers or, informally, the unit itself.

Synonyms

• Special Forces operative
• Special Forces soldier
• U.S. Army Special Forces member

Related Phrases

• To earn/wear the green beret: An idiom meaning to successfully complete the rigorous qualification course and become a member of the Special Forces.
  • Only the most resilient soldiers earn the green beret.

Noun

1. a soldier who is a member of the United States Army Special Forces