virility

noun

vi·​ril·​i·​ty və-ˈri-lə-tē 

 British also  vī-

: the quality or state of being virile:

a

: manhood sense 3

b

: manly vigor : masculinity

Did you know?

Luckily, there's no doubt about what virility is, since it's depicted on the covers of dozens of new romance novels every month! A masterful and dominating manner, a splendid bared chest, a full head of lustrous hair, and an array of stunning costumes seem to be what's required. (Virile traits often missing in these men are hair on the chest and any hint of future baldness.) High-school football provides a showplace for demonstrations of adolescent virility, and for years afterward virile high-school players can keep using football language in their business life: "get to the red zone", "Hail Mary pass", "move the ball", and on and on.

Synonyms

• machismo
• macho
• manhood
• manliness
• masculinity

Examples of virility in a Sentence

many cultures value virility as a sign of power

Recent Examples on the Web

For all its Formula One credentials, for all its flashy virility and hair-trigger handling, the McLaren also sets a new supercar standard for inner peace. —IEEE Spectrum, 28 Mar. 2012

Since its virility, videos featuring the trend have now come with a warning for those attempting the moves at home — but that didn't deter the Deckers. —Nina Turner, Newsweek, 29 Oct. 2024

Astonishing medical claims fueled the frenzy, including the assertion that ginger smeared on flagging body parts could restore virility. —Abraham Verghese, Travel + Leisure, 24 July 2024

These were not men like Elon Musk fretting about virility as some bulwark against extinction. —Hua Hsu, The New Yorker, 16 June 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1586, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

virility

noun

vi·​ril·​i·​ty və-ˈril-ət-ē 

: the quality or state of being virile

Medical Definition

virility

noun

vi·​ril·​i·​ty

və-ˈril-ət-ē, British also vī-

plural virilities

: the quality or state of being virile: as

a

: the period of developed manhood

b

: the capacity to function as a male in copulation