virgin

1 of 2

noun

vir·​gin ˈvər-jən 

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

: initial, first

5

: containing no alcohol

a virgin daiquiri

6

: free of impurity or stain : unsullied

7

: characteristic of or befitting a virgin : modest

Synonyms of virgin

Noun

• novice
• beginner
• freshman
• apprentice
• newcomer
• rookie

Adjective

• virginal
• unmarried
• maiden

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

Noun

The maturation protocol reflects a cask combination of American virgin oak, ex-bourbon, Spanish Oloroso, PX, and Portuguese red wine casks, designed to add layered, nuanced complexity to a whisky peated at 54 PPM. —Joseph V Micallef, Forbes.com, 17 Jan. 2026

The film, directed by renowned German New Wave artist and filmmaker Ulrike Ottinger, is the latest retelling of the story of Hungarian Countess Elizabeth Báthory, a real-life aristocrat accused of bathing in the blood of virgins to retain her youth. —Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 14 Jan. 2026

Adjective

That documentation matters when recycled materials compete with virgin resources. —Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 22 Jan. 2026

This Breakfast Combo Could Support Gut Health This can be a healthy breakfast option, especially if the sourdough is whole grain, vegetables are added, and a healthy fat like avocado or extra virgin olive oil is included, said Julia Zumpano, RD, a dietitian at Cleveland Clinic. —Maggie O'Neill, Verywell Health, 20 Jan. 2026

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

Phrases Containing virgin

• extra-virgin
• vestal virgin
• virgin birth
• virgin's bower
• virgin territory
• virgin wool

Rhymes for virgin

• sturgeon
• surgeon
• neurosurgeon

Kids Definition

virgin

1 of 2 noun

vir·​gin ˈvər-jən 

: 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 

: 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 

river 200 miles (322 kilometers) long in southwestern Utah and southeastern Nevada flowing to Lake Mead