virgin

1 of 2

noun

vir·​gin ˈvər-jən How to pronounce virgin (audio)
Synonyms of virginnext
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
Virgin : virgo
3
a
: an absolutely chaste young woman
b
: an unmarried girl or woman
4
Virgin : 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
: initial, first
5
: containing no alcohol
a virgin daiquiri
6
: free of impurity or stain : unsullied
7
: characteristic of or befitting a virgin : modest

Synonyms of virgin

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Noun

Adjective

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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
Commitments to replace virgin down with recycled or animal-free alternatives accounted for 85 percent of the reduction commitments identified. — Alexandra Harrell, Footwear News, 27 Oct. 2026 His creator, an unnamed basket-weaver (Peter Dinklage), braided him as a mate for a lonely virgin, a fisherwoman (Olivia Colman) who stomps around her rustic village smelling like sushi and tossing her head back in an Eliza Doolittle guffaw. — Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 22 Oct. 2026
Adjective
Agatha Relota Luczo is the purveyor of all things extra virgin olive oil. — Jennifer Weil, Footwear News, 25 Oct. 2026 The mattresses from the Spanish brand Sivana (founded by former soccer player Miguel Serna) are hypoallergenic and handmade from natural materials (horsehair, linen, wool, and virgin cotton). — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Oct. 2026 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

Phrases Containing virgin

Rhymes for virgin

See All Rhymes for virgin

Browse Nearby Words

Virgilian
virgin
Virgin
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Virgin.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/virgin. Accessed 1 Nov. 2026.

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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
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