Definition and Pronunciation
Remain a virgin (pronounced: /rɪˈmeɪn ə ˈvɜrdʒɪn/) is a phrase that means to continue in the state of virginity, that is, to not have engaged in sexual intercourse. It emphasizes the act of maintaining one’s sexual inexperience over a period of time, either by personal choice, cultural values, or religious beliefs.
Easy Explanation
“Remain a virgin” means not having sex yet and continuing to stay that way. For example, a person may remain a virgin until marriage, or someone may choose to remain a virgin for personal or religious reasons.
Grammatical Formation
- Verb phrase: remain (to continue to be) + a virgin (a person who has not had sex).
- Related forms: remaining a virgin, chose to remain a virgin.
Word Comparisons
- Remain a virgin vs. keep virginity: both mean the same, though “remain a virgin” is more personal, while “keep virginity” is more abstract.
- Remain a virgin vs. abstain from sex: abstain = active choice; remain a virgin = state of being maintained.
- Remain a virgin vs. celibacy: celibacy = lifelong choice; remain a virgin = continuing not to have sex (temporarily or permanently).
Connotations
- Positive (in traditional views): virtuous, pure, honorable.
- Neutral: personal choice or lifestyle.
- Negative (in critical views): restrictive, repressive, stigmatized.
Meaning with Prepositions
- Remain a virgin until: remain a virgin until marriage.
- Remain a virgin for: remain a virgin for many years.
- Remain a virgin by: remain a virgin by choice or circumstance.
Real-Life Examples
- She chose to remain a virgin until her wedding night.
- Many young people remain virgins because of cultural or religious expectations.
- He decided to remain a virgin as part of his vow of chastity.
- Some people remain virgins simply because they have not yet found the right partner.
Synonyms
keep virginity, preserve virginity, stay chaste, maintain purity, practice abstinence
Antonyms
lose virginity, break virginity, sexual initiation, engage in sex, promiscuity
Related Terms
- Virginity – state of never having had sex.
- Chastity – moral or religious purity.
- Abstinence – deliberate avoidance of sexual activity.
- Purity pledge – vow to remain a virgin until marriage.
Common Collocations
- remain a virgin until marriage
- remain a virgin by choice
- remain a virgin for life
- decided to remain a virgin
- remain a virgin in faith
Idiomatic and Figurative Usage
- Remain a virgin (figurative): sometimes used metaphorically for things untouched, e.g., “the land remained a virgin forest.”
- Remain a virgin in spirit: symbolic of innocence or purity in thought.
Sample Sentences
- He pledged to remain a virgin until marriage as part of his faith.
- Despite peer pressure, she decided to remain a virgin.
- Some saints are honored for their choice to remain virgins for life.
- He remained a virgin into adulthood, waiting for the right partner.
Connection to Sexuality
Yes, directly. “Remain a virgin” is about sexuality, abstinence, and purity. It connects closely to cultural, moral, and religious standards about sexual behavior and the timing of one’s first sexual experience.
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