virgin

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'virgin' is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to someone who has never experienced something, such as "She was a virgin to the world of art."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Travel

Lifestyle

Business

Film

Opinion

TV & Radio

Sport

Music

Education

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

43 human-written examples

I decide to join friends-of-friends for lunch in south Tehran, later retreating to one of their homes for some refreshing virgin mojitos-from-concentrate.

The Guardian

"She sees blood – maybe she's a virgin, maybe it's her period, and that explains everything, maybe it's something from him.

The Guardian - Film

Serves 4 180g dark chocolate (70%) 80g caster sugar 2 whole eggs 2 egg yolks 250ml double cream 30ml extra virgin olive oil, plus extra for the crostini and finishing ½ tsp flaky sea salt, plus extra for the crostini and finishing 1 small ciabatta 1 Melt the chocolate in a bowl over simmering water and remove from the heat.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Cookeathope, via GuardianWitness Serves 6-8 125g raw virgin solid coconut oil 3-4 tbsp honey 125g desiccated coconut 2 ripe bananas 60g cocoa powder 1 ripe mango, peeled and thinly sliced 2 ripe passionfruit, pulped 1 In a small saucepan, gently melt 50g of oil.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

As often than not, single-use packages of food and drinks are made from virgin materials and then tossed in the trash.

The Guardian

I'm no virgin, but perhaps this is what misericordia feels like.

The Guardian - Travel

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

17 human-written examples

Serves 4 8 chicken thighs, skin on 2 ripe but firm peaches 250g cooked freekeh 1 medium radicchio, broken into leaves 1 spring onion, finely chopped 4tbsp extra-virgin olive oil 1tsp honey leaves of 6 tarragon sprigs 20g pistachios, lightly crushed 150ml water Sea salt Black pepper Bone the thighs if necessary and lay them flat, skin-side up.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Toss in al dente fusilli, add the fish and garnish with extra-virgin olive oil.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Afip has made formal requests for information on the networks behind the Swiss accounts to the authorities in Bermuda, the British Virgin Islands, and Uruguay as well.

The Guardian - Business

A fortnight later, on Friday the 13th, we arrived in the British Virgin Islands by a full moon, glimpsing a dark ocean dotted with islands through tropical sea mist.

The Guardian - Travel

There are 14: Akrotiri and Dhekelia (Cyprus); Anguilla; Bermuda; British Antarctic Territory; British Indian Ocean Territory; British Virgin Islands Cayman Islands Falkland Islandsds; Gibraltar; Montserrat; Pitcairn Islands; Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha; South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands; Turks and Caicos Islands.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

To avoid ambiguity, be explicit about the context when using "virgin" to describe a person's sexual experience, especially in sensitive discussions.

Common error

Avoid using "virgin" in highly technical or scientific writing where more precise terms like "unprocessed" or "unmodified" would be more appropriate and clearer.

Linguistic Context

The word "virgin" primarily functions as an adjective modifying nouns to indicate a state of purity, inexperience, or untouched condition. It can also function as a noun, referring to a person who has never had sexual intercourse. Ludwig confirms the correct usage of "virgin" in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Travel

18%

Lifestyle

12%

Less common in

Business

10%

Film

6%

Opinion

6%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "virgin" is widely used in modern English, functioning both as an adjective and a noun. As highlighted by Ludwig, it's grammatically correct and adaptable to various contexts, from describing untouched natural environments to referring to personal experiences. While its register is typically neutral, context is key to ensuring appropriate and clear communication. Be mindful of the potential for ambiguity and consider using more precise terms when necessary, especially in technical writing. Examples from Ludwig show that "virgin" is most commonly found in news, travel, and lifestyle content.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

inexperienced

Directly addresses the lack of prior exposure or involvement in a particular activity or situation.

maiden

Emphasizes the state of being unmarried and sexually inexperienced, often used in a literary or historical context.

chaste

Specifically denotes abstaining from sexual activity, often for moral or religious reasons.

pure

Focuses on the absence of contamination or corruption, applicable both literally and figuratively.

pristine

Suggests a state of original purity and unspoiled condition, often referring to natural environments.

untouched

Highlights the state of being physically undisturbed or unaltered.

unspoiled

Indicates a state of not being damaged or degraded, typically used for natural environments or experiences.

unadulterated

Highlights the purity and genuineness of something, without any additives or modifications.

newcomer

Denotes someone who is new to a particular field or activity, lacking experience.

brand new

Emphasizes that something is completely new and unused.

FAQs

How can I use the word "virgin" in a sentence?

You can use "virgin" to describe someone who has never had sexual intercourse, as in "She claimed she was still a virgin". It can also describe something in its original, untouched state, such as "virgin olive oil".

What can I say instead of "virgin" when referring to inexperience?

Consider using words like "inexperienced", "newcomer", or "novice" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "virgin olive oil" or "extra virgin olive oil"?

"Extra virgin olive oil" is a specific grade indicating higher quality, while "virgin olive oil" is a broader category. Both are correct, but "extra virgin" implies a higher standard.

What's the difference between "virgin forest" and "old-growth forest"?

While similar, "virgin forest" implies a forest untouched by human intervention, whereas "old-growth forest" ("old-growth forest") simply refers to a forest that has attained great age without significant disturbance. A virgin forest is a subset of old-growth forests.