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
Noun
And in the Christian world, the most valuable color was reserved for the most elevated of virgins. Kanya Kanchana, Longreads, 15 Oct. 2024 Wig and weave terminologies such as 360, weft, virgin, Remy, glueless, or French lace can have even the most chronically online person's head spinning. Kedean Smith, refinery29.com, 27 Sep. 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 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'virgin.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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 4 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

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