3 syllables: Vi, gor, ous. Stress on Vi.
VIG-ur-uhs
/ˈvɪɡɚəs/
Vigorous is pronounced VIG-ur-uhs (/ˈvɪɡɚəs/). It has three syllables (Vi-gor-ous), with the stress on "Vi". Vigorous is an adjective describing something done with force, energy, and intensity. It conveys strong effort, motion, or activity, often implying health or physical strength. The term is commonly used to describe actions, exercises, or debates conducted with substantial vigor and vitality.
adjectiveVigorous is an adjective describing something done with force, energy, and intensity. It conveys strong effort, motion, or activity, often implying health or physical strength. The term is commonly used to describe actions, exercises, or debates conducted with substantial vigor and vitality.
"She led a vigorous workout that left everyone sweating."
"The debate was vigorous, with both sides presenting passionate arguments."
"He resisted with vigorous defending, not giving ground easily."
You say it as VIH-gur-uhs with primary stress on the first syllable. IPA: US /ˈviɡərəs/, UK /ˈvɪɡərəs/, AU /ˈvɪɡərəs/. Start with a clear 'v' then a stressed 'i' as in 'sit' for US/UK, followed by a soft 'g' like in 'go', and end with a schwa plus 's'. Listen for that first strong beat and a quick, light ending.
Frequent errors: (1) Reducing the first syllable too much (pronouncing it as 'vig-uh-rous' or 'vig-uh-ruhs'); keep the clear /ɡə/ sequence in the second syllable. (2) Misplacing the stress, giving 'vi-GOR-us' or 'vig-ó-rous'; ensure primary stress on the first syllable /ˈvi/ or /ˈvɪ/. (3) Pronouncing the /ɡ/ as a hard /ɡ/ without adequate following vowel; maintain a short /ə/ in the second syllable: /ɡər/.
US: /ˈviɡərəs/ with clear /i/ in first syllable and rhotic /ər/; UK: /ˈvɪɡərəs/ with shorter first vowel and non-rhotic or lightly rhotic depending on speaker; AU: typically /ˈvɪɡərəs/ similar to UK but with Australian vowel merging and a slightly flatter intonation. The main variation is the first vowel height and the degree of rhoticity; the ending /əs/ is generally unstressed in all. Practicing with authentic audio will help you spot the subtle vowel differences.
Because it combines a stressed front vowel with a cluster /ɡr/ and a trailing unstressed schwa /ərəs/ that can melt together in fast speech. The sequence /ɡər/ is less common in rapid speech, so listeners may hear a smoother blend. The first syllable requires precise vowel height to avoid sounding like /vɪɡ/; keep the vowel crisp to maintain the initial syllable’s strength.
A distinctive feature is the strong initial syllable with /ɡ/ immediately after a front vowel, followed by a lightly reduced second syllable /ərəs/. Keeping the syllable boundary clear helps; you’re not blending all sounds into one; maintain a brief pause between /ˈvi/ or /ˈvɪ/ and /ɡərəs/.
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Vigorous entered English in the late 16th century from the Middle French vigoureux, itself derived from the Latin vigor, meaning liveliness, activity, or force. The root vigor suggests strength of body or mind, energy that propels action. Early uses linked to physical strength or spirited activity, evolving to broader meanings like vigorous debates, efforts, or exercise. The form progressed via Old French and Latin, with the suffix -ous signaling “full of” or “having the quality of.” Over time, English speakers extended vigor to describe mental energy and robust, forceful approaches to tasks, sport, and movement. First known uses appear in medical and literary texts addressing vitality and strength, shifting toward idiomatic expressions in modern prose and fitness contexts.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "Vigorous" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "Vigorous" and show contrast in usage.
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Words that rhyme with "Vigorous"
-ous sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
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