Dictionary Thesaurus Word Dynamo Quotes Reference Translator Spanish

virility

[vuh-ril-i-tee]

Example Sentences Origin

noun

the state or quality of being virile; manly character, vigor, or spirit; masculinity.

the power of procreation.

Origin:
1580–90; < Latin virīlitās, equivalent to virīli(s) virile + -tās -ty²

Related forms

non·vi·ril·i·ty, noun

ul·tra·vi·ril·i·ty, noun

Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2012.
Cite This Source

Link To virility

:10

:09

:08

:07

:06

:05

:04

:03

:02

:01

Virility is always a great word to know.

So is quincunx. Does it mean:

an arrangement of five objects, as trees, in a square or rectangle, one at each corner and one in the middle.

a screen or mat covered with a dark material for shielding a camera lens from excess light or glare.

LEARN MORE UNUSUAL WORDS WITH WORD DYNAMO...

Example Sentences

To men, numerous offspring are living symbols of virility.

Currencies are national virility symbols and sterling is sagging.

Maasai men have been known to occasionally spear elephants, perhaps as a ritual to show virility.

EXPAND

To men, numerous offspring are living symbols of virility.

Currencies are national virility symbols and sterling is sagging.

Maasai men have been known to occasionally spear elephants, perhaps as a ritual to show virility.

But people who kill these creatures for completely imaginary boosts to their health or virility deserve what they get.

Tens of thousands of aging men are trying testosterone shots, patches and gel in hopes of regaining youthful vigor and virility.

Refined people who admire his virility turn with disgust from the gross strain exhibited in his stories and poems.

Sometimes they were viewed as a blessing, or even as a sign of their father's superior virility.

For his dinner, our cook roasted six-inch-long scorpions, which he said were good for virility.

It turns out there's only so much virility one can take.

But it may be harder going for those who see exports as a sign of national virility.

In other places women agitated for prohibition, claiming coffee inhibited the virility of their mates.

Gym rats and others unwittingly step into a trap in the quest for turbocharged virility.

Dog meat is eaten throughout the country, revered as a tonic in winter and a restorer of virility in men.

For his is a performance of electrical power and sweeping virility.

We've all heard of the psychological connections between cars and male virility.

Cuomo's tie in the photograph in the magazine's current edition, an unabashed celebration of virility.

If calcareous algae and copepods are decreasing in number and virility then this affects the entire food chain.

Kline's performance has everything else: intelligence, sardonic humor, verbal and physical virility.

Bengston's works, though slightly over the hill, have hung on to their virility.

Ratigan sees it as his mission to inject virility into cable.

Their hope was that national virility would be reaffirmed and domestic uncertainties put to rest.

The conch salad served on weekends is said to increase men's virility.

COLLAPSE

Collins

World English Dictionary

virile (ˈvɪraɪl)

—*adj*
1.	of, relating to, or having the characteristics of an adult male
2.	(of a male) possessing high sexual drive and capacity for sexual intercourse
3.	of or capable of copulation or procreation
4.	strong, forceful, or vigorous

[C15: from Latin virīlis manly, from vir a man; related to Old English wer man and probably to Latin vis strength]

virility

—n

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
Cite This Source

Etymonline

Word Origin & History

virility

"period of manhood," 1580s; see virile. Meaning "manly strength" is recorded from c.1600.

American Heritage

Medical Dictionary

virility vi·ril·i·ty (və-rĭl'ĭ-tē)
n.

The quality or state of being virile.
Masculine vigor; potency.

Word Dynamo By Dictionary.com

Searching for virility?
How many words do you actually know?

FIND OUT

Related Words

machismo

Matching Quote

"If the devil were to offer me a resurgence of what is commonly called virility, I'd decline. "Just keep my liver and lungs in good working order," I'd reply, "so I can go on drinking and smoking!""

-Luis Buñuel

Partners:Word Bloglines Citysearch The Daily Beast Ask Answers Ask Kids Life123 Sendori Thesaurus

About Privacy Policy Terms of Use API Careers Advertise with Us Contact Us Help