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virility

noun
vi·​ril·​i·​ty | \ vÉ™-ˈri-lÉ™-tÄ“ How to pronounce virility (audio) , British also vÄ«-\

Definition of virility

: the quality or state of being virile:
a : manhood sense 3
b : manly vigor : masculinity
Synonyms & Antonyms Did You Know? Example Sentences Learn More about virility

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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

 Not Peter, who knew the truth — four times, it was later revealed on the show, half a world away, to the quixotic delight of his parents, so proud of their son’s virility. — Maura Judkis, Washington Post, "In ‘The Bachelorette’ finale, Hannah is ‘in lust’ with Tyler. And Jed, um, 'has qualities.’," 29 July 2019 And without that hypermasculine virility, Shaft wouldn’t be Shaft. — Kerry Lengel, Detroit Free Press, "Tired ‘Shaft’ franchise tries to remain relevant," 13 June 2019 And without that hypermasculine virility, Shaft wouldn’t be Shaft. — Kerry Lengel, Detroit Free Press, "Tired ‘Shaft’ franchise tries to remain relevant," 13 June 2019 And besides, his size and the robustness of his voice add a welcome virility that is sometimes missing in the role. — David Lyman, Cincinnati.com, "Review: 'Porgy and Bess' is so American, musically magnificent and still very current," 21 July 2019 What Trump's days look like While Trump claims certainty of superior virility, his more than two years in the White House offers a more mixed record. — Michael Collins, USA TODAY, "Trump vs. Biden in Iowa: Septuagenarian rivals try to demonstrate vigor in head-to-head stops," 17 Apr. 2019 People like him lived in the shadows of stories, stuffed into the spaces between lines chronicling virility, power. — Abhijith Ravinutala, chicagotribune.com, "2019 Algren Awards: Finalist: Definition(s)," 20 July 2019 And without that hypermasculine virility, Shaft wouldn’t be Shaft. — Kerry Lengel, Detroit Free Press, "Tired ‘Shaft’ franchise tries to remain relevant," 13 June 2019 And without that hypermasculine virility, Shaft wouldn’t be Shaft. — Kerry Lengel, Detroit Free Press, "Tired ‘Shaft’ franchise tries to remain relevant," 13 June 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'virility.' 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 virility

1586, in the meaning defined above

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More Definitions for virility

virility

noun
vi·​ril·​i·​ty | \ vÉ™-ˈril-É™t-Ä“, British also vÄ«-\
plural virilities

Medical Definition of virility

: the quality or state of being virile: as
a : the period of developed manhood
b : the capacity to function as a male in copulation

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More from Merriam-Webster on virility

Rhyming Dictionary: Words that rhyme with virility

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for virility

Spanish Central: Translation of virility

Nglish: Translation of virility for Spanish Speakers

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