virgin

1 of 2

noun

vir·​gin ˈvər-jən How to pronounce virgin (audio)
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
5
: containing no alcohol
a virgin daiquiri
6
: free of impurity or stain : unsullied
7
: characteristic of or befitting a virgin : modest

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
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.
Noun
The thesis addressed how oral storytelling on La Llorona floated between depictions of her as either a virgin or a harlot and the impacts these characterizations in movies had on Latina identity. Jose R. Gonzalez, The Arizona Republic, 27 Oct. 2024 Gina Rodriguez stars as Jane Villanueva, a religious, 23-year-old virgin who somehow becomes pregnant. Jenna Ryu, SELF, 21 Oct. 2024
Adjective
The recycled cotton and polyester are made from end-of-life textiles and perform the same as virgin ones. Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 21 Oct. 2024 But there is nothing simple about the locale, which is known for its virgin beaches and desert landscape marked by volcanic rock formations. Evie Carrick, Travel + Leisure, 15 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for virgin 

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of virgin was in the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near virgin

Cite this Entry

“Virgin.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/virgin. Accessed 21 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

virgin

1 of 2 noun
vir·​gin ˈvər-jən How to pronounce virgin (audio)
: 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 How to pronounce virgin (audio)
: 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 How to pronounce Virgin (audio)
river 200 miles (322 kilometers) long in southwestern Utah and southeastern Nevada flowing to Lake Mead

More from Merriam-Webster on virgin

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!