virile

adjective

vir·​ile ˈvir-əl  ˈvir-ˌī(-ə)l 

 British also  ˈvī(-ə)r-ˌī(-ə)l

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

virilely adverb

Synonyms

• male
• masculine

Examples of virile in a Sentence

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

Recent Examples on the Web

During his campaign for reelection in 2024, Trump, who turns 79 in June, sold digital trading cards that featured virile depictions of himself as a cowboy, superhero and astronaut, among other images. —Elizabeth Crisp, The Hill, 24 Mar. 2025

In The Empire’s frame, residents of a coastal village in northern France — gruff, virile fisherman Jony (Brandon Vlieghe) and teenage tease Line (Lyna Khoudri) — reveal their oddball allegiance to extraterrestrial invaders. —Armond White, National Review, 14 Mar. 2025

The Victorians, perhaps sensing that Britain’s empire could not stay young and virile forever, took this Romantic dread and ran with it. —Matthew Redmond, The Conversation, 9 Jan. 2025

New cassette players are being manufactured and competition is virile, musicians are releasing more and more records on the format and Amazon is selling old cassettes like a bumper crop. —Spin Team, SPIN, 28 Nov. 2024

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Kids Definition

virile

adjective

vir·​ile ˈvir-əl  ˈvi(ə)r-ˌīl 

1

a

: having the nature, powers, or qualities of an adult male : masculine

b

: having traditionally masculine qualities especially to a noticeable degree

2

a

: vigorous sense 1, energetic

b

: masterful sense 1, forceful

Etymology

from early French viril "having the qualities of a man," from Latin virilis (same meaning), from vir "man, male" — related to virtue

Medical Definition

virile

adjective

vir·​ile

ˈvir-əl, ˈvi(ə)r-ˌīl, British also ˈvī(ə)r-ˌīl

1

: having the nature, properties, or qualities of an adult male

specifically : capable of functioning as a male in copulation

2

: characteristic of or associated with men : masculine