vigor
C1Formal, Literary, Academic, Business.
Definition
Meaning
Physical or mental strength, energy, vitality, and forcefulness.
Used metaphorically for institutions, economies, or processes that display robust activity, strength, and intensity.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Primarily an uncountable noun. The US spelling is 'vigor'; the UK spelling is 'vigour'. Often associated with youthful energy, robust health, forceful action, or intellectual intensity.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Spelling: 'vigour' (UK) vs. 'vigor' (US). Pronunciation is identical. No difference in meaning or usage frequency across registers.
Connotations
Consistently positive, suggesting admirable strength and energy. In business contexts, implies dynamic growth; in health, implies robustness.
Frequency
Equally common in formal writing in both varieties. Slightly more literary/formal than everyday synonyms like 'energy'.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[Verb] with vigorThe vigor of [Noun][Adjective] vigorVigor to [Infinitive]Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Full of vim and vigor”
- “Approach something with renewed vigor”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Describes dynamic market activity, economic growth, or forceful business strategy (e.g., 'The economy recovered with surprising vigor').
Academic
Used to describe the strength of an argument, intellectual force, or the intensity of a scientific debate (e.g., 'He defended his thesis with intellectual vigor').
Everyday
Less common; typically describes a person's physical energy or the intensity of an activity (e.g., 'She attacked the cleaning with great vigor').
Technical
In biology/medicine, refers to the robust growth of an organism or strain (e.g., 'hybrid vigor').
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- N/A
American English
- N/A
adverb
British English
- N/A
American English
- N/A
adjective
British English
- N/A
American English
- N/A
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The children played with great vigor.
- He works with a lot of vigor.
- After a good rest, she tackled the project with renewed vigor.
- The debate continued with undiminished vigor.
- The new policy was implemented with surprising vigor, leading to rapid changes.
- Despite his age, his intellectual vigor was remarkable.
- The company's expansion was characterised by an entrepreneurial vigor rarely seen in the sector.
- The literary criticism was noted for its polemical vigor and thorough research.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a TIGER (sounds like 'viger') – it embodies strength, energy, and forceful action.
Conceptual Metaphor
VIGOR IS A PHYSICAL FORCE / VIGOR IS A FUEL.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- False friend with Russian 'вигор' (non-existent). Closer to 'сила', 'энергия', 'бо́дрость', but more formal/intense than 'энергия'. Not 'выносливость' (endurance/stamina).
Common Mistakes
- Using as a countable noun (*'he has a great vigor'). Using in overly casual contexts where 'energy' fits better. Misspelling 'vigour' in US context or 'vigor' in UK context.
Practice
Quiz
Which sentence uses 'vigor' most appropriately?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, it is more formal and literary than its common synonym 'energy'. It's common in academic, business, and formal writing.
'Vigor' implies a forceful, intense, and often admirable quality of strength or activity. 'Energy' is more neutral and general, referring simply to the capacity for activity.
Yes, it's often used metaphorically for economies, debates, institutions, or processes (e.g., 'the vigor of the market', 'the vigor of her argument').
In everyday language, yes, 'vigorous' is more frequently used (e.g., 'vigorous exercise', 'a vigorous debate'). The noun 'vigor' is more common in formal or written contexts.