Definition

Noun: A person who has served in the armed forces and has extensive experience in active military duty, especially in combat or war zones. The term emphasizes long service and the practical experience gained from it.

Usage

The term "veteran soldier" is used to specifically denote a soldier with a significant history of military service. It distinguishes experienced personnel from new recruits or those with less service. * He was a veteran soldier who had served in three major conflicts. * The veteran soldiers were honored in a special ceremony.

Advanced Usage

• The phrase can be used attributively (like an adjective) before another noun.
  • The veteran soldier experience was crucial to the unit's success.
• It often carries connotations of resilience, hard-earned skill, and sometimes the physical or psychological toll of service.

Variants and Related Words

• Veteran (noun/adjective): A more general term for someone with long experience in a particular field (e.g., , ). In a military context, it is synonymous with "veteran soldier."
• Ex-serviceman / Ex-servicewoman (noun): A person who has formerly served in the armed forces.
• Old hand (noun, informal): An experienced person in any activity.

Synonyms

• Seasoned soldier
• Old soldier
• Long-serving soldier
• War veteran

Antonyms

• Recruit
• Rookie
• Newcomer
• Greenhorn

Related Phrases

• Battle-hardened veteran: A veteran soldier specifically toughened by combat experience.
  • The battle-hardened veteran showed no fear.
• Veteran's benefits: Privileges or assistance provided by the government to former soldiers.

Noun

1. a serviceman who has seen considerable active service
   • the veterans laughed at the new recruits