# virgin

/ˈvɝdʒɪn/ (US) · /vˈɜːdʒɪn/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/virgin
Updated: 2026-08-15

## Senses

### 2. the Virgin Mary

noun · CEFR B2

Mary, the mother of Jesus, often shown in paintings and statues.

For teachers: a reference to Mary, the mother of Jesus, typically used with 'the' and often appearing in art history contexts.

- The museum has a famous painting of the Virgin and Child from the 15th century.
- Scholars debated the symbolic significance of the blue robes worn by the Virgin in the altarpiece.

### 3. a beginner

noun · CEFR B2 · Informal

someone who has never done a specific activity before.

For teachers: a person who is unacquainted with or inexperienced in a particular activity or field.

- I am a total camping virgin, so I do not know how to pitch a tent.
- Despite being a political virgin, the candidate managed to win over the crowd with her authentic and unpolished speaking style.

### 4. untouched or natural

adjective · CEFR B2

natural and not changed or used by people.

For teachers: referring to land or resources that remain in a natural state, untouched by human exploitation or cultivation.

- The hikers spent a week exploring the virgin forest where no roads had been built.
- The environmental group fought to protect the virgin territory from the encroaching mining interests.

### 5. olive oil

adjective · CEFR B1 · Technical

oil made by pressing olives without using heat or chemicals.

For teachers: denoting olive oil that is extracted by mechanical means only, without chemical treatment or excessive heat.

- She always uses extra virgin olive oil when she makes salad dressing.
- The label must specify if the product is virgin or extra virgin to comply with international food standards.

### 6. without alcohol

adjective · CEFR B1 · Informal

a drink that usually has alcohol but is made without it.

For teachers: referring to a cocktail or mixed drink that has been prepared without its usual alcoholic component.

- Since I was driving, I ordered a virgin strawberry daiquiri.
- The bar offers a wide selection of virgin versions of their signature cocktails for those who prefer not to drink alcohol.

## Examples

- He told his friends that he was still a virgin.
- The hikers were excited to explore a stretch of virgin forest that had never been logged.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.