virile

[vir-uhl, -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

Other Word Forms

• nonvirile adjective
• subvirile adjective
• ultravirile adjective
• unvirile adjective
• virility noun

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

In a YouTube video, a priest is championing a form of virile, unapologetic masculinity.

From BBC

In fact, I think those gendered stereotypes — Americans as virile and manly; Europeans as emasculated or effeminate — go back much further than that, and were inhaled by nearly all American men of Trump’s generation.

From Salon

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

Related Words

• macho 
• manful 
• manly 
• masculine