vigorous

vigorous — adjective

1. done or carried out with a lot of physical or mental energy and strong determina

1.adjectiveB2
Definition

done or carried out with a lot of physical or mental energy and strong determination

Example

The team mounted a vigorous defence of their title throughout the tournament.

collocation: vigorous defence

Hassan faced vigorous questioning from the committee about the new policy.

Common collocations
  • vigorous defence
  • vigorous exercise
  • vigorous debate
  • vigorous campaign
  • vigorous attempt
  • vigorous questioning
Synonyms
  • energetic

    focuses on active, lively quality; more often describes a person's nature than the action itself

  • forceful

    emphasises the power and impact of an action, often implying it achieves its goal

  • strenuous

    applies specifically to physical effort that requires a lot of energy

Antonyms

Usage Note

Commonly placed before nouns that describe actions, efforts, or activities, such as exercise, debate, campaign, defence, or attempt.

Common Mistakes

She gave a strong speech against the new law.' (when meaning forceful and energetic).
She gave a vigorous speech against the new law.
'vigorous' emphasises the force and energy of the action itself, while 'strong' focuses more on the power of the argument or belief behind it.

2. in a state of good health, with a strong body or mind; used especially of living

2.adjectiveB2
Definition

in a state of good health, with a strong body or mind; used especially of living things that are growing or functioning actively and well

Example

The old oak tree still puts out vigorous new growth every spring.

collocation: vigorous growth (plants)

Nadia felt vigorous and full of energy after her holiday in the mountains.

predicative use: felt vigorous

Common collocations
  • vigorous growth
  • vigorous plant
  • vigorous health
  • vigorous mind
  • vigorous dog
Synonyms
  • robust

    suggests a strong, sturdy constitution; often used for health that can withstand difficulties

  • hearty

    implies enthusiastic good health and a strong appetite for life

  • sturdy

    emphasises physical solidity and resistance to damage rather than active energy

Antonyms
  • frail

    weak and delicate, especially of someone's health

  • feeble

    lacking physical strength, often due to age or illness

Usage Note

Typically describes living things — people, animals, or plants — that are in good health and functioning actively. Not used for objects or machines.

Common Mistakes

The desk is vigorous because it is made of strong wood.' (objects cannot be vigorous).
The oak tree is vigorous because it gets plenty of sunlight and water.
'vigorous' for living things only.

Word family

  • vigor
    nounB2
  • vigour
    nounB2
  • vigorously
    adverbB2

Synonym discussion

Sense: adjective/1

Vigorous, energetic, forceful, and strenuous all describe actions done with power, but each has a different focus. Energetic highlights lively, active quality and is often used about a person's nature (an energetic child, an energetic dance). Forceful emphasises the impact and effectiveness of an action, often implying that it achieves a result (a forceful argument, a forceful blow). Strenuous applies specifically to activities that demand great physical effort (strenuous exercise, a strenuous hike). Vigorous combines energy with determination — it describes actions carried out with both force and persistence (a vigorous defence, a vigorous campaign). A vigorous workout is both energetic and demanding, while a forceful speech persuades through the power of its presentation rather than through sheer enthusiasm.

energetic ↗forceful ↗strenuousvigorous ↗

Common collocations

Adverbs

  • extremely vigorous
  • particularly vigorous
  • increasingly vigorous
  • remarkably vigorous

Etymology

LatinOld FrenchEnglish

Vigorous comes from the Latin word 'vigor', meaning 'liveliness, activity, force'. It passed through Old French 'vigorous' before entering English in the 14th century, originally describing someone full of physical or mental energy.