1 vestal | Definition of vestal

vestal

adjective
ves·​tal | \ ˈve-stᵊl How to pronounce vestal (audio) \

Definition of vestal

 (Entry 1 of 2)

1 : of or relating to the Roman goddess Vesta
2a : of or relating to a vestal virgin
b : chaste

vestal

noun

Definition of vestal (Entry 2 of 2)

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Synonyms & Antonyms for vestal

Synonyms: Adjective

chaste, clean, decent, G-rated, immaculate, modest, pure, virgin, virginal

Antonyms: Adjective

coarse, dirty, filthy, immodest, impure, indecent, obscene, smutty, unchaste, unclean, vulgar

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Examples of vestal in a Sentence

Adjective

a schoolteacher who dresses with almost vestal modesty while on the job

Recent Examples on the Web: Adjective

Souza sets out to reacquaint us with that vanished world, where norms obtained and men were men and words had meaning—where the sun rose on the shrines of our ancestors and six virgins ceaselessly guarded the vestal flame. Katy Waldman, Slate Magazine, "Pete Souza’s Resistance Thirst," 3 Aug. 2017 Belton also had Charles Vestal place third in the shot put, Mason Goffoy fourth in the javelin and Tyler Matthews fourth in the 110-meter hurdles. Kansascity, kansascity.com, "Borer a double winner for Pleasant Hill again," 19 May 2017 These queens in the House of Trump—all of them having served variously as models, arm candy, reality-show stars, humiliated sidekicks and shopping channel mavens—are vestal virgins in the temple of acquisition. Nina Burleigh, Newsweek, "Melania, Ivanka, Ivana, Marla and the Role of Women in Trump's World," 1 Feb. 2017

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

With ritual precision, the vestals awaken their miserable charges each dawn and roll them about on their beds of pain while performing ablutions, in the formal movements of which the maidens are highly trained. Gabriel Winant, The New Republic, "Barbara Ehrenreich’s radical critique of wellness and self-improvement," 23 May 2018 Vestals Gap Dr., 42905-Bernhard W. and Brunhild Vater to Patrick J. and Shana Benton Maines, $674,900. Washington Post, "Home sales in Loudoun and Fauquier counties," 26 July 2017 Vestal said erosion and canals that cut through the property made access to the site difficult, and winds helped spread flames through the dry grass. Cathy Locke, sacbee.com, "Mather-area grass fire burns abandoned buildings," 3 July 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'vestal.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of vestal

Adjective

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

15th century, in the meaning defined above

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More from Merriam-Webster on vestal

Rhyming Dictionary: Words that rhyme with vestal

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for vestal