virile
Americanadjective
-
of, pertaining to, characteristic of, or befitting a man; masculine; manly.
virile strength.
-
having or exhibiting masculine energy, forcefulness, or strength in a marked degree.
- Synonyms:
- vigorous
-
characterized by a vigorous, masculine spirit.
a virile literary style.
-
of, relating to, or capable of procreation.
adjective
-
of, relating to, or having the characteristics of an adult male
-
(of a male) possessing high sexual drive and capacity for sexual intercourse
-
of or capable of copulation or procreation
-
strong, forceful, or vigorous
Synonym Usage
See male.
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of virile
1480–90; from Latin virīlis “manly,” equivalent to vir “man” (akin to Old English wer “man”; see werewolf) + -īlis -ile
Explanation
You'll often hear the word virile referring to a manly, powerful man, because the word means having physical strength and other typical masculine qualities. When you think of a virile man, you imagine a tough, strong guy who's full of energy, vigor, and sexual potency. He's definitely not a wimp. Men admire him and women want to be with him. Superman is one guy who could easily be described as virile. The Man of Steel, with his muscles rippling under the "S" emblazoned on his costume, has superhuman strength and charm. That's why Lois Lane can't keep her eyes — and hands — off him.
Vocabulary lists containing virile
"My Wonder Horse," Vocabulary from the short story
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Henry David Thoreau "Civil Disobedience" (1849)
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Boy: Tales of Childhood
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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.
“It’s far and away the most virile part of American capitalism,” he said in one 2021 interview.
From MarketWatch • Jun. 29, 2026
The performances of the symphonies, on Thursday and Saturday, came across considerably more persuasively than the concerto did on Wednesday, though Mr. Zukerman, now age 77, was in fine, virile form.
From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 20, 2025
In a YouTube video, a priest is championing a form of virile, unapologetic masculinity.
From BBC • May 24, 2025
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 • May 9, 2024
She was a big woman, in stature almost equalling her husband, and corpulent besides: she showed virile force in the contest—more than once she almost throttled him, athletic as he was.
From "Jane Eyre" by Charlotte Brontë
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.
