What does virginity mean?
Virginity most commonly denotes the state of not having engaged in sexual intercourse. In modern personal contexts, it may describe a person's sexual experience, while historical, religious, and literary contexts often associate it with chastity, purity, innocence, or idealization. The term is not synonymous with morality: a person's sexual history and a person's character are distinct matters, although social and religious traditions have sometimes linked them closely. Virginity has also been central to myths about female sexuality, marriage, and social respectability, making it a frequent subject in discussions of gender, power, education, and consent. The word derives from the Latin virgo, meaning “maiden” or “virgin,” through the noun virginitas. Its English history reflects the broad shift from a primarily social and marital concept of chastity to a more explicit reference to sexual experience, while its older associations with innocence and purity remain influential.
nounThe state of not having engaged in sexual intercourse. Historically, it has also referred to sexual purity and moral innocence.
- The state of not having engaged in sexual intercourse.
- By extension, sexual purity, moral innocence, or freedom from sexual experience, especially in religious, historical, or figurative contexts.
"She discussed her expectations surrounding virginity with her partner before they became intimate."
"He had been raised with strong expectations about preserving his virginity."
"The exhibition examined how myths about female virginity have influenced social attitudes."
Rare in practice; the singular form “virginity” is normally preferred even when different people or characters are being discussed.
"The novel contrasts the contrasting virginities of two sisters."
The word begins with a Latin word for an unmarried young woman: virgo, meaning “maiden” or “virgin.”
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does virginity come from?
Virginity entered Middle English in a form derived from Latin virginitas, meaning “maidenhood” or “chastity,” which was formed from virgo, “maiden” or “virgin.” English words including virgin, virginal, and virginalist belong to the same Latin-derived family. Over time, the word came to emphasize the absence of sexual intercourse, while also retaining older connotations of chastity, innocence, and purity.
How virginity is actually used
Virginity is used in personal, historical, religious, educational, and cultural contexts. Because it has long been associated with moral judgment, particularly concerning women, it may carry assumptions about respectability, shame, or social value that are not inherent in its literal definition.
Easily confused with virginity
Virginity is the state of not having engaged in sexual intercourse, whereas a virgin is a person who has not done so.