virginity
Noun: 1. The state of never having had sexual intercourse: This is the primary and most common meaning, referring to a person (typically, but not exclusively, a woman) who has not engaged in vaginal sex. 2. The state of being untouched, unused, or unexplored: A figurative meaning describing something in its original, pure, or unspoiled condition.
- Virginity is an uncountable noun. You do not say "a virginity" or "virginities."
- It describes a personal, physical, and often social or cultural state.
- It is commonly used with verbs like lose, keep, give, take, and regain.
- Literal (sexual):
- In some cultures, a woman's virginity is highly valued until marriage.
- He made the personal decision to keep his virginity until he was in a committed relationship.
- The concept of virginity is a social construct with different meanings across history.
- Figurative (non-sexual):
- The untouched snow had a pristine virginity about it.
- The explorer felt a thrill at setting foot on the virginity of the uncharted island.
- "To lose one's virginity": This is the most common idiom, meaning to have sexual intercourse for the first time. It is often considered informal or colloquial.
- She lost her virginity when she was nineteen.
- "Technical virginity": A modern, sometimes debated term referring to someone who has not engaged in vaginal intercourse but may have participated in other sexual activities.
- Virgin (n/adj): The person who possesses virginity. Can also describe something untouched (e.g., , ).
- Virginal (adj): Characteristic of or suitable for a virgin; pure, chaste, or untouched.
- Chastity: The practice of refraining from extramarital, or especially from all, sexual intercourse. (Often implies a conscious choice or virtue.)
- Celibacy: The state of abstaining from marriage and sexual relations. (Often for religious or personal reasons.)
- Purity: Freedom from physical or moral pollution. (A broader, often spiritual term.)
- Maidenhood: An old-fashioned or literary term for a girl's or young woman's virginity.
- Experience (in the sexual context)
- Non-virginity (rarely used; typically described by the state of having had sex).
The definition and social significance of virginity are complex and vary greatly. It is frequently associated with concepts of purity, honor, and social value, particularly regarding women. In modern discourse, its importance is often questioned, and the term itself is analyzed as a social construct rather than a purely biological fact. The figurative use highlights a state of original purity or newness.
-
the condition or quality of being a virgin