virgin

1 of 2

noun

vir·​gin ˈvər-jən 

1

a

: a person who has not had sexual intercourse

b

: a person who is inexperienced in a usually specified sphere of activity

2

a

: an unmarried woman devoted to religion

b

capitalized : virgo

3

a

: an absolutely chaste young woman

b

: an unmarried girl or woman

4

capitalized : virgin mary

5

: a female animal that has never copulated

virgin

2 of 2

adjective

1

: chaste

2

: fresh, unspoiled

specifically : not altered by human activity

a virgin forest

3

of a vegetable oil : obtained from the first light pressing and without heating

4

a(1)

: being used or worked for the first time

virgin lumber

see also virgin wool

(2)

of a metal : produced directly from ore by primary smelting

b

: initial, first

5

: containing no alcohol

a virgin daiquiri

6

: free of impurity or stain : unsullied

7

: characteristic of or befitting a virgin : modest

Synonyms

Noun

• abecedarian
• apprentice
• babe
• beginner
• colt
• cub
• fledgling
• freshman
• greenhorn
• neophyte
• newbie
• newcomer
• novice
• novitiate
• punk
• recruit
• rook
• rookie
• tenderfoot
• tyro

Adjective

• maiden
• virginal

Examples of virgin in a Sentence

Noun

a virgin in the world of comedy clubs, he's still learning to deal with hecklers

Adjective

encouraged the virgin youths to remain chaste

the state's only remaining virgin forest

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

In Immaculate, Sydney Sweeney stars as Sister Cecilia, who becomes a holy figure to her fellow nuns when she’s found to be pregnant despite being a virgin. —Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 19 Dec. 2024

When a novel virus infects your body, your immune system can behave like a virgin on a first date. —Bruce Y. Lee, Forbes, 2 Dec. 2024

Adjective

Founders Iris Alonzo and Carolina Crespo pioneered two sustainable supply chains that transform existing cotton waste streams into world-first basics, eliminating the use of any virgin raw materials. —Josh Max, Forbes, 29 Nov. 2024

As environmental regulations tighten and consumer attention on sustainability increases, the fashion industry is moving away from traditional linear production models and adopting more innovative, circular approaches that focus on lowering the need for new, virgin materials. —Sj Studio, Sourcing Journal, 27 Sep. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English, from Anglo-French virgine, from Latin virgin-, virgo young woman, virgin

First Known Use

Noun

12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2a

Adjective

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 6

Phrases Containing virgin

• extra-virgin
• vestal virgin
• virgin birth
• virgin's bower
• virgin territory
• virgin wool

Kids Definition

virgin

1 of 2 noun

vir·​gin ˈvər-jən 

: a person who has not had sexual intercourse

virgin

2 of 2 adjective

1

: being a virgin

2

: not soiled

virgin snow

especially : not altered by human activity

virgin soil

3

: being used or worked for the first time

virgin wool

Medical Definition

virgin

1 of 2 noun

vir·​gin ˈvər-jən 

: one who has not had sexual intercourse

virgin

2 of 2 adjective

: not affected or altered by previous use or exposure (as to an antigen) : naive

virgin B cells

Geographical Definition

Virgin

geographical name

Vir·​gin ˈvər-jən 

river 200 miles (322 kilometers) long in southwestern Utah and southeastern Nevada flowing to Lake Mead