vigorously
Americanadverb
-
with active strength or force; energetically or powerfully: Fast food is marketed vigorously through heavy television advertising.
Combine all ingredients in the cocktail shaker and shake vigorously until the egg white is foamy.
Fast food is marketed vigorously through heavy television advertising.
-
with robust health or vitality.
Many plant species that don’t do well in shaded conditions will grow vigorously in full sunlight.
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Etymology
Origin of vigorously
Explanation
When you do something in a forceful or intense way, you do it vigorously. If you're trying to figure out which of your brothers ate the last of the cookies, it's probably the one who's denying it most vigorously. The adverb vigorously has the English root "vigor," which comes from the Latin word vigere, meaning to be lively or flourish. Synonyms for vigorously include energetically, forcefully, and strenuously. If you're trying to lose weight, you should eat fewer cookies and walk vigorously every day, and if you want to get your dishes really clean, you'll have to scrub them vigorously.
Vocabulary lists containing vigorously
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
Unit 1: Telling Details
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
Unit 1: Telling Details
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
She has always insisted that she has done nothing wrong - a position that she vigorously maintains.
From BBC • May 25, 2026
“And if anyone can be counted upon, I believe it’s her that will vigorously defend against the grave dangers and vicious attacks on freedom of expression that both museums and universities currently face.”
From Los Angeles Times • May 3, 2026
Competing airlines vigorously matched its fares, even if it was with one of those no-frills basic economy tickets.
From The Wall Street Journal • May 2, 2026
One recent 75-degree afternoon, sitting on the front stoop of the rowhouse where she lives with her dad, Burton was rubbing her hands together vigorously, as if it were cold out.
From Salon • Apr. 29, 2026
Scruffy had finally stopped barking and was chewing vigorously on Gregory's sock.
From "The Cinderella Ballet Mystery: Nancy Drew and the Clue Crew, #4" by Carolyn Keene
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
