virago

American  

[vi-rah-goh, -rey-] / vɪˈrɑ goʊ, -ˈreɪ- /

noun

plural

viragoes, viragos

1. a loud-voiced, ill-tempered, scolding woman; shrew.

   Synonyms:

   Xanthippe, harpy, termagant, nag, scold

2. Archaic. a woman of strength or spirit.

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virago British  

/ vɪˈrɑːɡəʊ, vɪˈrædʒɪnəs /

noun

1. a loud, violent, and ill-tempered woman; scold; shrew

2. archaic a strong, brave, or warlike woman; amazon

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Other Word Forms

• viraginous adjective
• virago-like adjective

Etymology

Origin of virago

before 1000; Middle English, Old English < Latin virāgō, equivalent to vir man + -āgō suffix expressing association of some kind, here resemblance

Explanation

A virago is a loud, bossy woman, like your next door neighbor who is always yelling at kids to get off her lawn. You can use the noun virago when you're describing a particularly mean and scolding woman. It's not a compliment to call someone a virago, although its origins are much nobler than the shrewish, screechy character it implies today. Originally, a virago was a brave or heroic woman. The root of virago is the Latin word for "man," vir. In other words, a virago used to mean a woman who seemed manly or virile.

Example Sentences

Ms. Boycott chose the name — a virago is defined both as a strong, heroic woman and as a harpy — and it fit the mission, and perhaps also Ms. Callil’s persona.

From New York Times • Oct. 29, 2022

“HLN’s virago of vengeance,” the New York Times dubbed her in 2011.

From Slate • Oct. 13, 2016

“Jackson is an awesome virago who delivers her lines like bayonet thrusts,” Time magazine drama critic T.E.

From Washington Post • Apr. 14, 2016

It was Taylor's ability to get into the skin of the character, more than the padding and a tousled salt-and-pepper wig, which transformed the legendary beauty into a blowsy virago.

From The Guardian • Mar. 23, 2011

"The virago is not a becoming rôle, Bobs," he said, and left her.

From Cinderella Jane by Cooke, Marjorie Benton