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adj B2 Upper-Intermediate Uncommon

vigorous

VIH-guh-ruhs

Vigorous (adj) means Full of physical energy and strength. Example: “He went for a vigorous run before breakfast every day.”

adj
1
Full of physical energy and strength.
"He went for a vigorous run before breakfast every day."
2
Full of mental energy, forcefulness, or determination.
"She made a vigorous defense of her research in the debate."
3
Growing quickly and strongly, describing plants.
"This variety of tomato is known for being especially vigorous."

How to use vigorous

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishStrong, energetic, and forceful — whether describing a person's body, an argument, or a plant's growth.

Common pairings
vigorous exercise vigorous debate vigorous growth

Word forms

more vigorous comparative, most vigorous superlative

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Test yourself on “vigorous” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage

Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

He went for a _____ run before breakfast every day.

Etymology

From Old French vigoros, from Latin vigor ("liveliness, strength").

Origin: Latin

Rhymes for vigorous

See all rhymes for vigorous →

Frequently asked questions

What does “vigorous” mean?

The word “vigorous” means full of physical energy and strength. In plain terms, strong, energetic, and forceful — whether describing a person's body, an argument, or a plant's growth.

How do you pronounce “vigorous”?

“Vigorous” is pronounced VIH-guh-ruhs (/ˈvɪɡəɹəs/ in IPA).

How do you use “vigorous” in a sentence?

Here is “vigorous” used in a sentence: “He went for a vigorous run before breakfast every day.”

What part of speech is “vigorous”?

“Vigorous” is an adjective.

Where does the word “vigorous” come from?

The word “vigorous” comes from Latin. From Old French vigoros, from Latin vigor ("liveliness, strength").

Is “vigorous” a common word?

“Vigorous” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.

How many meanings does “vigorous” have?

“Vigorous” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: full of physical energy and strength.

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