noun

vigor

VIG-uhr

Vigor (noun) means Physical strength, energy and good health. Example: “At eighty he still had the vigor of a much younger man.”

noun

Physical strength, energy and good health.

"At eighty he still had the vigor of a much younger man."

"She attacked the garden with surprising vigor."

Force, intensity or determination in the way something is done or expressed.

"The proposal was defended with real vigor at the hearing."

technical In biology and agriculture, healthy and strong growth in a plant or organism.

"Hybrid vigor makes the crossbred seed noticeably more productive."

How to use vigor

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishStrength and energy.

When to use it

Slightly formal or literary; in casual speech 'energy' is far more common.

Memory tip

Do not confuse it with 'rigor', which means strictness or thoroughness. A study can be conducted with rigor and pursued with vigor.

Trace the full origin ↓

Easily confused with

vigour → rigor → vitality →

Common pairings

youthful vigor with renewed vigor hybrid vigor vim and vigor

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Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

At eighty he still had the _____ of a much younger man.

Etymology

From Latin vigor 'liveliness, activity', from vigere 'to be lively or flourish'.

Origin: Latin

Synonyms

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energy vitality stamina robustness forcefulness intensity zeal gusto

Antonyms

lethargy weakness frailty

Related words

life might power health force energy activity effort

Rhymes for vigor

Igor Rigor

See all rhymes for vigor →

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between vigor and vigour?

None in meaning. 'Vigor' is the American spelling and 'vigour' the British and Commonwealth one, following the same pattern as color and colour. Both derive from the same Latin word, which had no u.

Why is the adjective 'vigorous' spelled without a u even in British English?

Because the u in 'vigour' comes from the Old French spelling of the noun, while adjectives formed with -ous were built on the Latin stem. The same happens with humour and humorous, glamour and glamorous.

What does hybrid vigor mean?

It is the tendency of the offspring of two different inbred lines to be larger, healthier or more productive than either parent. Plant breeders exploit it heavily in crops such as maize, and it is also called heterosis.

What is the meaning of vigor?

"vigor" (noun) means physical strength, energy and good health.

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