virile

play

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

Definition of virile

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

See virile defined for English-language learners

See virile defined for kids

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

The WRX and its more virile alter-ego the WRX STI receive a few updates for 2018.

— mark maynard, sandiegouniontribune.com, "2018 Subaru WRX: Good times on bad road," 30 June 2017
Either these weren’t the most virile lambs or Cattlemen’s was heavily battering only tiny shards of lamb family jewels to goose the profitability of the $9.95 appetizer.

— andy staples, SI.com, "Where to eat, drink in Oklahoma City," 30 June 2017
Nick Morton (Tom Cruise), the dashing hero of Alex Kurtzman’s preposterous extravaganza The Mummy, is a virile fortune hunter, the kind of roustabout who shoots first, asks questions later, and always gets the girl.

— david sims, The Atlantic, "The Mummy Is a Monstrous Flop," 8 June 2017
Hard bop, in all its virile glory, has a hold on Davis, a supremely adept trombonist for whom the idiom is now as natural as his heartbeat.

— steve davis, The New Yorker, "Steve Davis," 5 June 2017
The young, virile Jack and his radiant wife Jacqueline embodied the American dream and the hopes of a nation.

— miriam velasquez, Orange County Register, "Remembering JFK on 100th anniversary of his birth," 28 May 2017
And as Riccardo, a Puritan colonel who had been promised Elvira’s hand, the virile baritone Alexey Markov sang with dark-hued richness, yet came across as bland.

— anthony tommasini, New York Times, "Review: A Tenor and a Soprano Make ‘I Puritani’ Gleam at the Met," 12 Feb. 2017
Thanks to advances in medical science, the virile, balding type may soon go the way of the dodo bird.

— wired staff, WIRED, "RIP: Kojak," 15 Mar. 2004

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

See Words from the same year

Other Physiology Terms

eructation, flux, gustatory, menarche, myopia, senescence, torpor

VIRILE Defined for English Language Learners

virile

play

adjective

Definition of virile for English Language Learners

: having or suggesting qualities (such as strength and sexual energy) that are associated with men and that are usually considered attractive in men

VIRILE Defined for Kids

virile

play

adjective vir·ile \ˈvir-əl, ˈvir-ˌīl\

Definition of virile for Students

: having qualities generally associated with men

Medical Dictionary

virile

play play

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

Medical Definition of virile

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