vigor

noun

vig·​or ˈvi-gər 

1

: active bodily or mental strength or force

2

: active healthy well-balanced growth especially of plants

3

: intensity of action or effect : force

4

: effective legal status

Synonyms

• beans
• bounce
• brio
• dash
• drive
• dynamism
• energy
• esprit
• gas
• get-up-and-go
• ginger
• go
• gusto
• hardihood
• juice
• life
• moxie
• oomph
• pep
• punch
• sap
• snap
• starch
• verve
• vim
• vinegar
• vitality
• zing
• zip

Examples of vigor in a Sentence

She defended her beliefs with great vigor.

she was picked to lead the volunteer group because of her vigor and enthusiasm

Recent Examples on the Web

Diane von Furstenberg: Woman Before Fashion builds on that work with new vigor and a new dimension - the creative energy and conquering spirit of one extraordinary woman. —Tom Teicholz, Forbes, 11 Mar. 2025

Such pruning renews plant vigor and encourages new healthy shoots. —Tom MacCubbin, Orlando Sentinel, 1 Mar. 2025

Madison brings unrelenting vigor to the sort of character who is normally marginalized or sensationalized on the screen. —Peter Rainer, The Christian Science Monitor, 27 Feb. 2025

This is one of those hyper-active movies where people — especially Vera — are constantly rushing about with maximum urgency but without whipping up corresponding narrative vigor. —David Rooney, The Hollywood Reporter, 16 Feb. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English vigour, from Anglo-French, from Latin vigor, from vigēre to be vigorous

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing vigor

• hybrid vigor
• vim and vigor

Rhymes for vigor

• bigger
• digger
• jigger
• rigger
• rigor
• trigger
• gravedigger
• obligor
• outrigger

Kids Definition

vigor

noun

vig·​or ˈvig-ər 

1

: active strength or energy of body or mind

2

: active strength or force

Medical Definition

vigor

variants or chiefly British vigour

see hybrid vigor