vigour
B2Neutral to formal. Common in academic, professional, journalistic, and literary contexts. Less common in casual, everyday speech.
Definition
Meaning
active physical or mental strength, energy, and force
The quality of being strong, energetic, and full of life; intensity of action, operation, or effect. It can refer to both physical robustness (a plant's growth, an athlete's performance) and the energetic, effective quality of abstract concepts (an argument, a campaign, an economy).
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Primarily a noun. Implies a dynamic, forceful, and often positive kind of strength. Not merely static strength (like 'strength' alone) but strength-in-action or vitality. Often carries connotations of health, vitality, and effectiveness.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
In American English, the preferred spelling is 'vigor'. 'Vigour' is the standard British spelling. The meaning and usage are identical.
Connotations
Identical in both varieties. Both spellings carry the same semantic weight.
Frequency
'Vigor' is the global standard in academic and scientific writing due to the dominance of American English publishing. 'Vigour' is common in UK, Australian, and Commonwealth publications.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[verb] with vigourthe vigour of [noun]a [adjective] vigourlack of vigourVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “full of vigour and vinegar (archaic)”
- “in the full vigour of life”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Used to describe market activity, economic growth, or a company's aggressive strategy (e.g., 'The new CEO pursued expansion with renewed vigour').
Academic
Common in describing intellectual debates, methodological approaches, or the growth/health of biological systems (e.g., 'The hypothesis was defended with intellectual vigour').
Everyday
Less common, but used for describing energetic people, especially in later life, or the healthy growth of plants/gardens (e.g., 'My grandfather still gardens with surprising vigour').
Technical
Used in biology, horticulture, and medicine to denote the healthy, robust, and productive state of an organism or system (e.g., 'seedling vigour', 'constitutional vigour').
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- Not applicable. The verb form is 'to invigorate'.
American English
- Not applicable. The verb form is 'to invigorate'.
adverb
British English
- Not applicable. The adverb form is 'vigorously'. (e.g., 'She argued vigorously for the policy.')
American English
- Not applicable. The adverb form is 'vigorously'. (e.g., 'He shook his head vigorously.')
adjective
British English
- Not applicable. The adjective form is 'vigorous'. (e.g., 'a vigorous debate')
American English
- Not applicable. The adjective form is 'vigorous'. (e.g., 'a vigorous workout')
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The young puppy played with great vigour.
- After his nap, the child ran around with renewed vigour.
- She attacked the problem with intellectual vigour.
- The old tree continued to grow with surprising vigour.
- The economic reforms were implemented with considerable vigour, leading to rapid growth.
- His writing lacks the polemical vigour of his earlier work.
- The constitutional vigour of the republic was tested by the crisis, but its institutions responded with resilient force.
- The debate was conducted with a polemical vigour rarely seen in contemporary academia.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a VIGORous workout – it requires strength and energy, which is what 'vigour' means.
Conceptual Metaphor
VIGOUR IS A FLUID IN A CONTAINER (He was full of vigour; Her vigour was drained); VIGOUR IS A FORCE (The campaign gathered vigour; an argument lacking vigour).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid direct translation from Russian 'вигор' or 'энергичность' in all contexts. English 'vigour' is more formal and specific than general 'energy' ('энергия').
Common Mistakes
- Misspelling: 'vigor' in a UK context or 'vigour' in a strictly US context. Using it as an adjective ('He is very vigour'). The adjective is 'vigorous'. Confusing it with 'rigour' (strictness, precision).
Practice
Quiz
Which sentence uses 'vigour' correctly?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, it is neutral to formal. It is common in writing, journalism, and academic contexts but can sound slightly formal in casual conversation where 'energy' or 'strength' might be used.
'Energy' is more general and neutral, referring to the capacity for activity. 'Vigour' implies a forceful, healthy, and often admirable kind of energy, combining strength and vitality. A sick person might have nervous energy but lack vigour.
Yes, it's commonly used abstractly. You can speak of the vigour of an economy, a debate, an argument, a protest movement, or a plant's growth. It describes the quality of being forceful, effective, and robust.
The adjective is 'vigorous'. (e.g., 'a vigorous campaign', 'vigorous exercise'). A common mistake is trying to use 'vigour' as an adjective.