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 of virile

• 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

After a faculty party one night, Martha invites the college’s virile new biology professor, Nick, and his vapid wife, Honey, over for a wee-hours drink. —Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 Mar. 2026

Hundreds of frat boys came out to watch a head-to-head match between the effluvia of USC’s and UCLA’s most virile students, moving through a plastic maze. —Sam Kriss, Harpers Magazine, 24 Feb. 2026

America is strong, America is virile. —David Remnick, New Yorker, 6 Feb. 2026

And the possibility of a virile and serious and seriously taken black man—all three—is ignored in virtually the entire world of Cather’s and Hemingway’s fiction. —Literary Hub, 3 Feb. 2026

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