virile

[ vir-uhlor, especially British, -ahyl ]

adjective

1. of, pertaining to, characteristic of, or befitting a man; masculine; manly:

   virile strength.

2. having or exhibiting masculine energy, forcefulness, or strength in a marked degree.

   Synonyms: vigorous

3. characterized by a vigorous, masculine spirit:

   a virile literary style.

4. of, relating to, or capable of procreation.

virile

/ ˈvɪraɪl; vɪˈrɪlɪtɪ /

adjective

1. of, relating to, or having the characteristics of an adult male
2. (of a male) possessing high sexual drive and capacity for sexual intercourse
3. of or capable of copulation or procreation
4. strong, forceful, or vigorous

Derived Forms

• virility, noun

Other Words From

• non·virile adjective
• sub·virile adjective
• ultra·virile adjective
• un·virile adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of virile¹

1480–90; from Latin virīlis “manly,” equivalent to vir “man” (akin to Old English wer “man”; werewolf ) + -īlis -ile

Word History and Origins

Origin of virile¹

C15: from Latin virīlis manly, from vir a man; related to Old English wer man and probably to Latin vis strength

Synonym Study

See male.

Example Sentences

Judging by the sporting photos on his campaign website, Kennedy would like to be seen as the virile, athletic and spry choice for the White House.

From Los Angeles Times

It’s a story about a heated affair with a younger man, accompanied by a virile electronic beat.

From Los Angeles Times

Set in New Orleans in the early 1900s, this reboot is more faithful to its original text with virile vampires and red-blooded romance front and center, just as Rice originally wanted it.

From Seattle Times

Their guru’s virile presence and checkered past preceded him in his days as a figure on the Sunset Strip.

From Los Angeles Times

To call this a virile view of art would be to imply that feminine eyes are incapable of “big strong seeing,” which obviously won’t do.

From Washington Post

Related Words

• macho
• manful
• manly
• masculine