# Virginia

/vɝˈdʒɪnjə/ (US)

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

## Senses

### 1. US state

noun · CEFR A2

a state in the eastern part of the United States.

For teachers: a state of the United States, located on the Atlantic coast; one of the original thirteen colonies.

- Richmond is the capital city of Virginia.
- The historical sites in Virginia attract millions of tourists who are interested in the early colonial history of the United States.

### 2. female name

noun · CEFR A2

a common first name for a woman.

For teachers: a female given name of Latin origin, meaning 'maiden' or 'virgin'.

- Virginia Woolf was a very famous English writer.
- The name Virginia saw a peak in popularity during the early twentieth century but remains a classic choice for parents today.

### 3. body part

noun · CEFR C1 · Slang · Informal

a slang word for the vagina.

For teachers: a slang term for the vagina, often used as a euphemism or by children and teenagers.

- The kids were giggling because they heard someone say the word virginia.
- In certain social contexts, speakers use 'Virginia' as a phonetic euphemism to avoid the clinical or taboo nature of the anatomical term.

Teaching tip: This is a common euphemism used to avoid saying 'vagina' directly, especially in mixed company or around children.

## Examples

- She lives in a small town in Virginia.
- Many people commute from northern Virginia to work in the capital every morning.
- The historical significance of Virginia is rooted in its status as the site of the first permanent English settlement in North America at Jamestown.

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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.