What does virility mean?
Virility is a formal noun denoting masculine vigor, especially sexual potency, but it can also be used more broadly for strength, vitality, and energetic masculinity. In contemporary writing, its most specific sense is the capacity for sexual activity or the forceful character associated with manhood. Literary and figurative uses often link the word with youth, physical fitness, or resilience, as in references to the virility of nature or an energetic artistic style. The term may sound dated when applied directly to people and can carry a narrowly gendered or exaggeratedly masculine connotation. Historically, it developed from Latin ideas of manhood and manly excellence. Its associated words, including virile, virtue, and virtual, preserve the same Latin root vir, meaning “man.” Although virility remains understandable and occasionally useful for its formal force, less gendered terms such as vigor, vitality, or strength are often preferable when discussing people in ordinary contexts.
nounThe quality of being virile, especially sexual potency or masculine vigor; more broadly, strength, vitality, and energy associated with manhood or youth.
- Sexual potency or masculine sexual vigor.
- Manly strength, vitality, or energy, especially as a quality associated with youth or physical fitness.
"The poem celebrates the virility of the mountains and the resilience of those who climb them."
"The medication was marketed as a remedy for restoring sexual virility."
"The director's energetic debut displayed the bold virility of early independent cinema."
Rare in modern English, which normally treats virility as an uncountable noun.
"The essay compares the virilities of the two generations."
Virility hides an ancient idea of manhood in plain sight: its Latin root, vir, literally means “man.”
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does virility come from?
Virility entered English in the early 17th century from Latin virilitas, a noun meaning manliness or masculine vigor. Latin virilis, the source of virility, was derived from vir, meaning “man” or “male,” and also forms the historical root of English words such as virtue, virtual, and virtuoso. The word initially carried a broad sense of manly excellence before becoming associated especially with masculine sexual vigor.
How virility is actually used
Virility is formal and somewhat literary in modern English. It may sound old-fashioned or excessively masculine when used to describe a person, and its figurative uses often convey vigour, resilience, or youthful energy.
Easily confused with virility
Virility is the noun meaning masculine or sexual vigor, whereas virile is the adjective describing someone or something regarded as having that quality.
Virility can suggest masculine sexual potency, while fertility specifically concerns the ability to produce offspring or yield abundant results.