Main Entry:

vig·or·ous

Pronunciation:

\ˈvi-g(ə-)rəs\

Function:

adjective

Etymology:

Middle English vigorous, vigrous, from Anglo-French, from vigour

Date:

14th century

1 : possessing vigor : full of physical or mental strength or active force : strong <a vigorous youth> <a vigorous plant> 2 : done with vigor : carried out forcefully and energetically <vigorous exercises>

— vig·or·ous·ly adverb

— vig·or·ous·ness noun

synonyms vigorous, energetic, strenuous, lusty, nervous mean having or showing great vitality and force. vigorous further implies showing no signs of depletion or diminishing of freshness or robustness <as vigorous as a youth half his age>. energetic suggests a capacity for intense activity <an energetic campaigner>. strenuous suggests a preference for coping with the arduous or the challenging <the strenuous life on an oil rig>. lusty implies exuberant energy and capacity for enjoyment <a lusty appetite for life>. nervous suggests especially the forcibleness and sustained effectiveness resulting from mental vigor <full of nervous energy>.