virility

American  

[vuh-ril-i-tee] / vəˈrɪl ɪ ti /

noun

1. the state or quality of being virile; manly character, vigor, or spirit; masculinity.

2. the power of procreation.

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Other Word Forms

• nonvirility noun
• ultravirility noun

Etymology

Origin of virility

1580–90; < Latin virīlitās, equivalent to virīli ( s ) virile + -tās -ty ²

Explanation

Virility is a fancy word for "manliness." You could demonstrate your virility by lifting a minivan, but why be a show-off? Your virility also means that you'll need a minivan to cart around your many children. The Latin virīlitās, from vir, or "a man," is the base for the word virility. You can also use virility to refer to "macho" qualities that might seem to reflect outdated notions of masculinity. French feminist author Simone de Beauvoir once wrote, "No one is more arrogant toward women, more aggressive or scornful, than the man who is anxious about his virility.”

Example Sentences

Still, experts say the Grinch’s 2025 glow-up likely owes as much to holiday exhaustion and broad consumer pessimism as it does vertical video virility.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 25, 2025

Mr. Strong’s Oedipus is a commanding figure, exuding virility and seeming to tower over everyone around him, a pillar of rectitude and confidence.

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 14, 2025

Chakwera and Biya used very different approaches to tackle the rumours about illnesses, but they had a similar intent - to project, and protect, an image of strength and virility.

From BBC • Oct. 18, 2024

Youth and virility are big parts of masculinity.

From Slate • Sep. 21, 2024

He, after all, had no standards of manliness, of virility, to complicate his pride.

From "The Left Hand of Darkness" by Ursula K. Le Guin

Related Words

• manhood
• potency
• vigor