Virile
What it means
Showing robust strength, energy, and vitality.
Reach for it when using traditional language for vigorous masculine strength or sexual potency
The virile dancer brought athletic force to every movement.
Words to choose between 6
| everyday | |
|---|---|
| professional | |
| formal |
|
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everyday
Fits when strong impact or expression is central
Careful Forcefulness may become aggressive or domineering.
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everyday
manly
Fits when conventional masculine qualities are intended
Careful Manly reinforces cultural stereotypes about men.
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professional
masculine
Fits when gendered appearance or convention is being described
Careful Masculine does not establish strength or fertility.
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professional
Fits when health and sturdy capacity are evident
Careful Robust can describe systems, arguments, or flavor.
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professional
Fits when energetic physical strength is the real praise
Careful Vigor is gender-neutral and says nothing about masculinity.
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formal
Fits when sexual or generative capacity is specifically meant
Careful Potent can describe chemicals and power generally.
Opposites 3
- impotent
- frail
- enervated
Common phrases 3
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virile strength
The old epic praises virile strength above every gentler virtue.
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virile image
Advertising built a virile image around the rugged vehicle.
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virile energy
Critics described the early sculpture as charged with virile energy.
Word family 1
Usage notes
Keep in mind
Virile links worth to masculinity and sexual capacity; vigorous or robust is usually more precise and inclusive.
Definitions and examples are written for this site. How words are chosen Recording: Vealhurl, Southern England accent, from Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0 Updated