Word
virgo
Phoneticsvir·go, stress on the first syllable
/ˈvɝɡoʊ/
Definitions
01the constellation
B2 · Upper Intermediate Uncountable noun
n. a group of stars in the sky that people say looks like a young woman.
n. a large constellation of the zodiac, situated between Leo and Libra, traditionally depicted as a maiden.
“The astronomer pointed his telescope toward Virgo to find the bright star Spica.”
“Virgo is one of the largest constellations in the night sky and contains a massive cluster of galaxies that bears its name.”
Synonyms
02the zodiac sign
B2 · Upper Intermediate Uncountable noun
n. the star sign for people born between August 23 and September 22.
n. the sixth sign of the zodiac, associated with the period from approximately August 23 to September 22.
“My sister is a Virgo, so she celebrates her birthday in early September.”
“In traditional astrology, Virgo is considered an earth sign and is often associated with traits like precision and practicality.”
03a person
B2 · Upper Intermediate Countable noun
n. someone who was born under the star sign of Virgo.
n. a person born when the sun was in the zodiac sign of Virgo.
“As a typical Virgo, he likes to keep his desk very organized.”
“She identified as a Virgo and frequently checked her horoscope for advice on her career and relationships.”
04physics detector
C2 · Proficiency Countable noun Science Technical
n. a large machine in Italy used by scientists to study gravity in space.
n. a large-scale interferometric gravitational wave detector located near Pisa, Italy.
“Scientists at Virgo work with other teams to detect ripples in space-time.”
“The Virgo detector operates in collaboration with LIGO to provide more precise localization of gravitational wave sources across the celestial sphere.”
Etymology
From Latin virgō (“maiden, virgin; name of constellation”), calque of Ancient Greek παρθένος (parthénos, “virgin; name of constellation”), ultimately derived from ancient Mesopotamian constellations, as Akkadian absinnu (“seed furrow; name of constellation”) and Sumerian 𒀯𒀳 (ᵐᵘˡABSIN₃, “seed furrow; constellation representing fertility goddess Shala with ear of corn”). Doublet of virgin.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Domain
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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