virgin

1 of 2

noun

vir·​gin ˈvər-jən How to pronounce virgin (audio)
Synonyms of virginnext
1
a
: a person who has not had sexual intercourse
b
: a person who is inexperienced in a usually specified sphere of activity
2
a
: an unmarried woman devoted to religion
b
Virgin : virgo
3
a
: an absolutely chaste young woman
b
: an unmarried girl or woman
4
Virgin : virgin mary
5
: a female animal that has never copulated

virgin

2 of 2

adjective

1
: chaste
2
: fresh, unspoiled
specifically : not altered by human activity
a virgin forest
3
of a vegetable oil : obtained from the first light pressing and without heating
4
a(1)
: being used or worked for the first time
virgin lumber
see also virgin wool
(2)
of a metal : produced directly from ore by primary smelting
b
5
: containing no alcohol
a virgin daiquiri
6
: free of impurity or stain : unsullied
7
: characteristic of or befitting a virgin : modest

Examples of virgin in a Sentence

Noun a virgin in the world of comedy clubs, he's still learning to deal with hecklers Adjective encouraged the virgin youths to remain chaste the state's only remaining virgin forest
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
The 41-year-old virgin 💌 Amanda McCracken dated throughout her 20s and 30s, with her share of situationships, one-off dates and flings. Phaedra Trethan, USA Today, 16 Apr. 2026 At the time, her storyline included opening up to then-lead Farmer Chris about being a virgin. Sarah Hearon, Entertainment Weekly, 3 Apr. 2026
Adjective
Extra virgin olive oil is cold-pressed, unlike regular olive oil. Isabel Vasquez Rd Ldn, Health, 16 Apr. 2026 Most of what people associate with extra virgin olive oil’s health benefits comes from polyphenols and antioxidants that are only present in oil that’s fresh, properly harvested and minimally processed. Avery Newmark, AJC.com, 7 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for virgin

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English, from Anglo-French virgine, from Latin virgin-, virgo young woman, virgin

First Known Use

Noun

12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2a

Adjective

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 6

Time Traveler
The first known use of virgin was in the 12th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Virgin.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/virgin. Accessed 25 Apr. 2026.

Kids Definition

virgin

1 of 2 noun
vir·​gin ˈvər-jən How to pronounce virgin (audio)
: a person who has not had sexual intercourse

virgin

2 of 2 adjective
1
: being a virgin
2
: not soiled
virgin snow
especially : not altered by human activity
virgin soil
3
: being used or worked for the first time
virgin wool

Medical Definition

virgin

1 of 2 noun
vir·​gin ˈvər-jən How to pronounce virgin (audio)
: one who has not had sexual intercourse

virgin

2 of 2 adjective
: not affected or altered by previous use or exposure (as to an antigen) : naive
virgin B cells

Geographical Definition

Virgin

geographical name

Vir·​gin ˈvər-jən How to pronounce Virgin (audio)
river 200 miles (322 kilometers) long in southwestern Utah and southeastern Nevada flowing to Lake Mead

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