virile

adjective vir·ile \ ˈvir-əl , ˈvir-ˌī(-ə)l , British also ˈvī(-ə)r-ˌī(-ə)l \

Updated on: 27 Apr 2018

1 a : having traditionally masculine traits especially to a marked degree

b : characteristic of or associated with men : masculine

2 : having the nature, properties, or qualities of an adult male; specifically : capable of functioning as a male in copulation

3 : energetic, vigorous

4 : masterful, forceful

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virilely

adverb

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Examples of virile in a Sentence

men were once expected to be interested only in such virile activities as hunting

Recent Examples of virile from the Web

When Tristan arrives at night to meet Isolde, Mr. Kaufmann combines virile energy with dusky colorings to suggest a man caught between desire and world-weary sadness.

— anthony tommasini, New York Times, "Review: Jonas Kaufmann Takes a Big Step Toward ‘Tristan’," 13 Apr. 2018
The moment, in retrospect, came about from a virile accident.

— the washington post, NOLA.com, "The Viagra jackpot: A history of the little blue pill at 20," 28 Mar. 2018
The moment, in retrospect, came about from a virile accident.

— the washington post, NOLA.com, "The Viagra jackpot: A history of the little blue pill at 20," 28 Mar. 2018
The moment, in retrospect, came about from a virile accident.

— michael s. rosenwald, Washington Post, "The Viagra jackpot: A history of the little blue pill at 20," 27 Mar. 2018
Steve McQueen and his legendary car was, for many young Frenchmen of the '70s, the incarnation of male and virile codes.

— phoebe wall howard, Detroit Free Press, "'Bullitt' Mustang spent 40 years in garage — now it's going on tour," 19 Jan. 2018
The vulnerability of his light, boyish sound also invites you in, even if some opera-goers might prefer the more virile Jonas Kaufmann.

— david patrick stearns, Philly.com, "Yannick's 'Parsifal' at the Met gets a big bravo from picky New Yorkers," 6 Feb. 2018
Maddox captures that virile quality of dancing that always set Gene Kelly apart.

— theodore p. mahne, NOLA.com, "C'est magnifique! Saenger's 'An American in Paris' dances its way into audience's heart," 31 Jan. 2018
Some of them frankly characterized fascism as a more virile expression of their party’s creed.

— martin pugh, Slate Magazine, "Fascism’s Warning Signs," 14 Apr. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'virile.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of virile

Middle French or Latin; Middle French viril, from Latin virilis, from vir man, male; akin to Old English & Old High German wer man, Sanskrit vīra

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 15th century

in the meaning defined at sense 2

See Words from the same year