vigor

noun

vig·​or ˈvi-gər 

1

: active bodily or mental strength or force

2

: active healthy well-balanced growth especially of plants

3

: intensity of action or effect : force

4

: effective legal status

Synonyms

• energy
• juice
• vitality
• life
• dynamism
• stamina
• strength
• spirit

Examples of vigor in a Sentence

She defended her beliefs with great vigor.

she was picked to lead the volunteer group because of her vigor and enthusiasm

Recent Examples on the Web

Severe and repeated cases of scale can cause branches to die and reduce a tree’s overall vigor. —Tim Johnson, Chicago Tribune, 6 Apr. 2025

As Zidler, Petkoff portrays with vigor a self-serving weasel, albeit with a heart. —Rick Mauch, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 11 June 2025

Institutions from the Vatican to corporate boardrooms have long debated how to balance vigor and judgment. —John Samuels, Forbes.com, 16 May 2025

The insistence on common sense in America, with its echo in Donald Trump’s rhetoric, had a peculiar moral dimension, almost as if the cultural health and vigor of this society depended on its not succumbing to the decadence of the Old World. —Andrew Moore, New York Times, 15 May 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English vigour, from Anglo-French, from Latin vigor, from vigēre to be vigorous

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing vigor

• hybrid vigor
• vim and vigor

Rhymes for vigor

• bigger
• digger
• jigger
• rigger
• rigor
• trigger
• gravedigger
• obligor
• outrigger

Kids Definition

vigor

noun

vig·​or ˈvig-ər 

1

: active strength or energy of body or mind

2

: active strength or force

Medical Definition

vigor

variants or chiefly British vigour

see hybrid vigor