What does virginally mean?
Virginally is a formal, literary adverb meaning in a chaste, pure, or virginal manner. It can describe conduct, speech, or a condition associated with sexual purity, and it often carries a slightly old-fashioned or elevated tone. Because it belongs to the vocabulary of virtue and chastity, modern speakers may find it more evocative than neutral: saying that someone remained “virginally pure” can sound traditional or literary, while “chastely” is more direct. The word is closely related to the adjective virginal, though the latter can also refer to the virginal, an early keyboard instrument. Its Latin ancestry, through virgo, links it to virgin, virginity, and related forms. Virginally is uncommon in everyday English but useful when a writer wants to characterize purity with an emphatic, traditional register.
adverbIn a chaste, pure, or virginal manner; with reference to chastity or freedom from sexual experience.
- In a chaste, morally pure, or virginal manner; with reference to chastity or remaining a virgin.
"She remained virginally pure throughout the long and difficult journey."
"The novel portrays the heroine as innocent and almost impossibly virginally pure."
"He jokingly claimed that he would remain virginally innocent until his wedding day."
Its ancestry runs back to Latin virgo, “maiden”—the same root that gives us virgin, virginity, and virginal.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does virginally come from?
The adverb is formed from the English adjective virginal with the suffix -ly. The adjective comes through Latin virginalis, a derivative of virgo, meaning “maiden” or “virgin.” The same root underlies related forms such as virgin, virginity, and virginhood.
How virginally is actually used
Somewhat literary, formal, and old-fashioned. It usually conveys chastity or moral purity rather than merely sexual inexperience. In modern everyday English, “chastely” or “purely” may sound more natural.
Easily confused with virginally
“Virginally” is an adverb describing manner or condition, while “virginal” is an adjective meaning chaste or relating to a virginal, the early keyboard instrument.