vigorous
Americanadjective
-
full of or characterized by vigor.
a vigorous effort.
- Antonyms:
- weak
-
a vigorous youngster.
- Antonyms:
- weak
-
energetic; forceful: a vigorous personality.
vigorous steps;
a vigorous personality.
- Synonyms:
- powerful
- Antonyms:
- weak
-
powerful in action or effect.
vigorous law enforcement.
- Antonyms:
- weak
-
growing well, as a plant.
- Antonyms:
- weak
adjective
-
endowed with bodily or mental strength or vitality; robust
-
displaying, involving, characterized by, or performed with vigour
vigorous growth
Synonym Usage
See active.
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of vigorous
First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English, from Old French, from Medieval Latin vigorōsus; see vigor, -ous
Explanation
Anything vigorous is done with force and energy. Vigorous exercise makes you sweat, and a vigorous denial makes someone else sweat. Vigorous is a description for something strong or enthusiastic. It comes from the French word vigour, meaning "liveliness, activity." An active, physically energetic person is vigorous, and mental activities can be vigorous too, when they require a lot of mental effort. A vigorous argument doesn’t have to include physical wrestling; it just might involve verbal sparring.
Vocabulary lists containing vigorous
Tuck Everlasting
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Bridge to Terabithia
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The Witch of Blackbird Pond
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
While half-hour runs and swims registered fine, it consistently failed to recognize short but vigorous 20-minute walks and my 40-minute, hilly bike commute to work.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 9, 2026
The Observatory issued a "Very Hot Weather Warning" on Sunday, advising citizens to drink water and avoid vigorous outdoor physical activities.
From Barron's ● Aug. 9, 2026
On Tuesday, the S&P 500 flashed a vigorous breakout from a technical pattern known as a “flag” or a “wedge” — typically a bullish signal, according to Adam Turnquist, chief technical strategist at LPL Financial.
From MarketWatch ● Aug. 4, 2026
"Although our relations have always been rooted in close friendship and constant loyalty, they have never been as vigorous and fruitful as during your two presidential terms," the king added.
From BBC ● Aug. 3, 2026
He gave the snowman another, more vigorous shake.
From "Franny and Zooey" by J. D. Salinger
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
