vigorous
Americanadjective
-
full of or characterized by vigor.
a vigorous effort.
- Antonyms:
- weak
-
a vigorous youngster.
- Antonyms:
- weak
-
energetic; forceful: a vigorous personality.
vigorous steps;
a vigorous personality.
- Synonyms:
- powerful
- Antonyms:
- weak
-
powerful in action or effect.
vigorous law enforcement.
- Antonyms:
- weak
-
growing well, as a plant.
- Antonyms:
- weak
adjective
-
endowed with bodily or mental strength or vitality; robust
-
displaying, involving, characterized by, or performed with vigour
vigorous growth
Synonym Usage
See active.
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of vigorous
First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English, from Old French, from Medieval Latin vigorōsus; see vigor, -ous
Explanation
Anything vigorous is done with force and energy. Vigorous exercise makes you sweat, and a vigorous denial makes someone else sweat. Vigorous is a description for something strong or enthusiastic. It comes from the French word vigour, meaning "liveliness, activity." An active, physically energetic person is vigorous, and mental activities can be vigorous too, when they require a lot of mental effort. A vigorous argument doesn’t have to include physical wrestling; it just might involve verbal sparring.
Vocabulary lists containing vigorous
Tuck Everlasting
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!
Bridge to Terabithia
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!
The Witch of Blackbird Pond
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.
The gas and dust throughout the galaxy appear to be heated primarily by vigorous star formation.
From Science Daily • Jun. 19, 2026
He was powered by a vigorous social media presence and an angry electorate thirsty for change.
From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 10, 2026
Is the vigorous Microsoft rally proving to be just a dead-cat bounce, as this week’s action suggests, or is it a pause in a potentially sustainable advance?
From Barron's • Jun. 5, 2026
They would occasionally perform a vigorous wet-shake in the middle of a session, sending needles flying across the room.
From The Wall Street Journal • May 17, 2026
Ishmael worked, too, for the Etheringtons, who were vigorous summer people from Seattle.
From "Snow Falling on Cedars: A Novel" by David Guterson
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.
