vigoureux
B2formal to neutral
Definition
Meaning
strong, healthy, and full of energy; characterized by physical strength and vitality
done with great force, energy, or determination; showing strong mental or physical activity
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Often implies sustained, forceful activity rather than momentary strength. Can describe both physical and abstract entities (e.g., vigorous exercise, vigorous debate).
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant spelling or meaning differences. Both varieties use the word identically.
Connotations
Slightly more formal in British English; equally common in both varieties.
Frequency
Slightly higher frequency in American English in medical/health contexts.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
be vigorous in doing somethingremain vigorousbecome vigorouskeep vigorousVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “a vigorous defence”
- “in vigorous health”
- “with vigorous determination”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Used to describe aggressive marketing campaigns or strong economic growth
Academic
Common in medical/health sciences describing physical activity; in humanities describing intellectual debates
Everyday
Most often used for exercise, sports, or describing energetic people
Technical
In botany for plant growth; in physics for forceful motion
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The team vigoured through the final quarter.
- She vigoured her way up the hill.
American English
- He vigored through his workout.
- They vigored their campaign efforts.
adverb
British English
- He shook hands vigorously.
- The plants grew vigorously after the rain.
American English
- She protested vigorously against the decision.
- The economy expanded vigorously.
adjective
British English
- The elderly gentleman remains remarkably vigorous.
- A vigorous debate ensued in Parliament.
American English
- She maintains a vigorous exercise routine.
- The company showed vigorous growth this quarter.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- My grandfather is very vigorous for his age.
- The children played vigorously in the park.
- Regular vigorous exercise improves heart health.
- The company made a vigorous effort to reduce costs.
- The opposition mounted a vigorous defence of their position.
- Vigorous economic growth led to increased employment.
- The senator launched a vigorous campaign against the proposed legislation.
- His vigorous advocacy for reform transformed the institution.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'VIGOR' (Latin for strength/liveliness) + 'OUS' (full of) = full of strength
Conceptual Metaphor
STRENGTH IS VIGOR / ENERGY IS VIGOR
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Not equivalent to 'энергичный' in all contexts
- Avoid confusing with 'сильный' (which is more about physical power)
- Don't use for temporary energy bursts - implies sustained activity
Common Mistakes
- Confusing with 'rigorous' (which means thorough/strict)
- Using for momentary actions instead of sustained ones
- Misspelling as 'vigourous' (UK) or 'vigorous' (US) - both correct but regional
Practice
Quiz
Which context is LEAST appropriate for 'vigorous'?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
'Vigorous' implies sustained, forceful activity, while 'energetic' suggests high energy levels that could be momentary. A child can be energetic; an athlete's training is vigorous.
Yes, it commonly describes intellectual efforts like 'vigorous debate', 'vigorous analysis', or 'vigorous thinking'.
It's neutral to formal. Common in academic, medical, and business contexts, but also used in everyday speech about exercise and health.
Stress on first syllable: VIG-uh-rus. The 'g' is hard as in 'get'. British and American pronunciations are identical.