Vigour Meaning
/ˈvɪɡə/Definition, CEFR level B2, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
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Definition
nounActive strength or force of body or mind; a capacity for exertion, physically, intellectually, or morally; energy.
nounStrength or force in animal or vegetable nature or action.
Sentence Examples
For a man of seventy, he still has surprising vigour.
The fireplace, lacking firewood, flames already starting to lose their vigour.
CEFR Practice Quiz
The plant grew quickly with renewed ____ after the first spring rain.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The plants grew with great ____ after the heavy rain, their green leaves looking healthy and strong in the sunlight today.
Word Origin & History
From Middle English vigour, from Old French vigour, from vigor, from Latin vigor, from vigeō (“thrive, flourish”), from Proto-Indo-European *weǵ- (“to be lively”). Related to vigil, vegetable, vajra, and waker.
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"The vigour of this arm was never vain"
— 1717, John Dryden (tr.), Metamorphoses By Ovid, Book the Twelfth:
"Mr. Elliot's frank statement that "sloth and untidiness are indefensible" is a sign that the task will be tackled with vigour."
— 1953 April, “Arrears of Station Maintenance”, in Railway Magazine, page 217:
"A compound of eggs boiled with myrrh, pepper, and cinnamon, taken on several successive days, is recommended by Arabs for strengthening amorous vigor."
— 1961, Harry E. Wedeck, Dictionary of Aphrodisiacs, New York: The Citadel Press, page 162:
"But in the fruithful earth: there first receiv'd / His beams, unactive else, their vigour find."
— 1667, John Milton, “(please specify the page number)”, in Paradise Lost. […], London: […] [Samuel Simmons], and are to be sold by Peter Parker […]; [a]nd by Robert Boulter […]; [a]nd Matthias Walker, […], →OCLC; republished as Paradise Lost in Ten Books: […], London: Basil Montagu Pickering […], 1873, →OCLC:
Explore More B2 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
The plant grew quickly with renewed ____ after the first spring rain.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The plants grew with great ____ after the heavy rain, their green leaves looking healthy and strong in the sunlight today.