virile

[ vir-uhl or, esp. British, -ahyl ]
/ ˈvɪr əl or, esp. British, -aɪl /

adjective

of, pertaining to, characteristic of, or befitting a man; masculine; manly: virile strength.
having or exhibiting masculine energy, forcefulness, or strength in a marked degree.
characterized by a vigorous, masculine spirit: a virile literary style.
of, relating to, or capable of procreation.

Origin of virile

1480–90; < Latin virīlis manly, equivalent to vir man (akin to Old English wer man; see werewolf) + -īlis -ile

OTHER WORDS FROM virile

non·vir·ile, adjective sub·vir·ile, adjective ul·tra·vir·ile, adjective un·vir·ile, adjective

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH virile

viral virile

Example sentences from the Web for virile

British Dictionary definitions for virile

virile
/ (ˈvɪraɪl) /

adjective

of, relating to, or having the characteristics of an adult male
(of a male) possessing high sexual drive and capacity for sexual intercourse
of or capable of copulation or procreation
strong, forceful, or vigorous

Derived forms of virile

virility (vɪˈrɪlɪtɪ), noun

Word Origin for virile

C15: from Latin virīlis manly, from vir a man; related to Old English wer man and probably to Latin vis strength

Medical definitions for virile

virile
[ vîrəl, -īl′ ]

adj.

Of, relating to, or having the characteristics of an adult male, especially the ability to perform sexually as a male.
Having or showing masculine spirit, strength, vigor, or power.
Sexually potent.