virility

noun

vi·​ril·​i·​ty və-ˈri-lə-tē How to pronounce virility (audio)
 British also  vī-
: the quality or state of being virile:
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.

Examples of virility in a Sentence

many cultures value virility as a sign of power
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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 To embrace ball is to embrace skill as a gateway from hardship to glory, and the hustler’s grind of honing a skill set for primetime is relatable for a class of performers thinking of their own maneuvers as feats of dexterity and virility. Sheldon Pearce, NPR, 13 June 2024 See all Example Sentences for virility 

Word History

First Known Use

1586, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of virility was in 1586

Dictionary Entries Near virility

Cite this Entry

“Virility.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/virility. Accessed 3 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

virility

noun
vi·​ril·​i·​ty və-ˈril-ət-ē How to pronounce virility (audio)
: 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

More from Merriam-Webster on virility

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!