vigor

[ vig-er ]

noun

1. active strength or force.
2. healthy physical or mental energy or power; vitality.

   Synonyms: strength, force, drive

3. energetic activity; energy; intensity:

   The economic recovery has given the country a new vigor.

4. force of healthy growth in any living matter or organism, as a plant.
5. active or effective force, especially legal validity.

Other Words From

• vigor·less adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of vigor¹

First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English vigo(u)r, from Anglo-French; Middle French vigeur, from Latin vigor “force, energy,” from vig(ēre) “to be vigorous, thrive” + -or -or ¹

Idioms and Phrases

see vim and vigor .

Example Sentences

The Federal Reserve is finally taking interest rates down bit by bit, adding some vigor to a sluggish investment environment.

From Slate

“Aside from them, the only other thing that I will fight for with that type of vigor and passion is our city of San Francisco.”

From Los Angeles Times

His "Top Chef" journey was pretty linear, starting with vigor, sliding into the middle-of-the-pack as the competition wore on and then emerging towards the end of the competition as an intrepid, talented chef with clear-cut vision and insight into all things food, flavor and dish composition.

From Salon

We’ve found the ultimate talisman of Virgoan vigor: a dutiful pebble grinder.

From Los Angeles Times

But either way, the challenge is to cross the finish line of your career having given everything you can to your sport while retaining enough of your health, vigor and sanity to enjoy the post-playing days.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• ability
• agility
• alertness
• capability
• dynamism
• endurance
• intensity
• potency
• quickness
• strength
• urgency
• vitality