virgin
C1Formal, Literary, Technical, and Informal (depending on context)
Definition
Meaning
A person who has never had sexual intercourse.
Used to describe something in its original, pure, untouched, or unused state; something that has not been altered, experienced, or exploited.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
While historically gender-specific (female), modern general usage is often gender-neutral for the core meaning. The extended meaning is common in contexts like nature, materials, and technology.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Minor spelling differences in derivatives ('virginal' vs. 'virginal' is same). Slight preference for 'virgin' in compound terms like 'virgin forest' in AmE; 'virgin territory' equally common in both.
Connotations
Similar in both, though some religious connotations might be slightly more pronounced in UK usage due to historical church influence. The term 'Virgin Mary' is universal.
Frequency
Comparable frequency in both dialects.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
virgin + noun (adj. use)a virgin + preposition (of, to)remain/stay a virginVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “virgin territory (completely unexplored or unfamiliar area)”
- “like a virgin (doing something for the very first time)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
In marketing: 'virgin plastic' (new, not recycled), 'virgin media' (brand name).
Academic
In history/religion: 'the Virgin Queen' (Elizabeth I), 'the Virgin Birth'. In ecology: 'virgin ecosystem'.
Everyday
Primarily refers to a person's sexual inexperience. Can be sensitive.
Technical
In materials science: 'virgin aluminium', 'virgin pulp'. In aviation: 'Virgin Atlantic'.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- N/A (rare, non-standard). 'To virgin' is not a standard verb.
American English
- N/A (rare, non-standard). 'To virgin' is not a standard verb.
adverb
British English
- N/A. 'Virginly' is extremely rare and not standard.
American English
- N/A. 'Virginly' is extremely rare and not standard.
adjective
British English
- They hiked through miles of virgin forest.
- She used virgin olive oil for the dressing.
American English
- The company only uses virgin aluminum in its products.
- He was a virgin voter in the last election.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- She told her friend she was still a virgin.
- The field was covered in virgin snow.
- This is virgin territory for our research team.
- He bought a record made from virgin vinyl.
- The conservationists fought to protect the virgin rainforest from logging.
- The concept was so new it was practically virgin intellectual ground.
- The poet used the metaphor of a 'virgin page' to represent unblemished potential.
- Societal attitudes towards male and female virginity have historically been asymmetrical.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'VIRGIN' as 'Very Initial, Really Genuine, Intact, New' – emphasizing first and untouched state.
Conceptual Metaphor
PURITY IS CLEANLINESS / NEWNESS IS VIRGINITY (e.g., 'virgin snow' is pure and untouched).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- The Russian word 'девственница' is strictly female. English 'virgin' can refer to any gender.
- The adjective 'virgin' meaning 'untouched' (девственный) is directly translatable, but less common in casual Russian.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'virgin' as a verb incorrectly (it's a noun/adjective). 'He virgined the project' is wrong.
- Confusing 'virgin' with 'maiden' – 'maiden' is almost exclusively female and often archaic.
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'virgin' used TECHNICALLY?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, in modern English, 'virgin' can refer to a person of any gender who has not had sexual intercourse, though historical usage was often female-specific.
It means the material is new and has not been used, processed, or recycled before, e.g., 'virgin plastic', 'virgin wool'.
No, it is generally considered a very personal and potentially intrusive question. It is not appropriate in casual or professional settings.
'Virgin' describes a state of never having had sex. 'Celibate' describes a voluntary choice to abstain from sex, which can be made by virgins and non-virgins alike.