Cool MateStrength vs Vigor
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Strength
Top 1,000 (very common)B1noun
Vigor
Top 5,000 (fairly common)B1noun
Most common: Strength
| Strength | Vigor | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/streŋkθ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/streŋkθ/"]/ | 🇬🇧 //ˈvɪɡə//🇺🇸 //ˈvɪɡər// |
| Meaning | The ability to be strong or powerful. | Great energy and strength. |
| Example | Her strength helped her lift the heavy box with ease. | She approached her work with great vigor. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 1,000 (very common) | Top 5,000 (fairly common) |
| CEFR level | B1 | B1 |
| Part of speech | noun | noun |
| Collocations | considerable, enormous, great, have, possess, lack, grow, increase, decline, up to strength, below strength, under strength, at full strength, back to full strength, every ounce of strength, considerable, enormous, great, have, possess, lack, grow, increase, decline, up to strength, below strength, under strength, at full strength, back to full strength, every ounce of strength, considerable, enormous, great, have, possess, lack, grow, increase, decline, up to strength, below strength, under strength, at full strength, back to full strength, every ounce of strength, considerable, enormous, great, have, possess, lack, grow, increase, decline, up to strength, below strength, under strength, at full strength, back to full strength, every ounce of strength, considerable, enormous, great, have, possess, lack, grow, increase, decline, up to strength, below strength, under strength, at full strength, back to full strength, every ounce of strength, great, real, individual, capitalize on, exploit, play to, come from something, lie in something, strengths and weaknesses, considerable, enormous, great, have, possess, lack, grow, increase, decline, up to strength, below strength, under strength, at full strength, back to full strength, every ounce of strength | speak with vigor, live with vigor, approach with vigor |
| Antonyms | weakness, frailty | fatigue, weakness |
| Common mistakes | Confused with 'strong', which is an adjective., Using 'strengths' when referring to good qualities or skills, but should specify context., May forget to use in plural form where applicable (e.g., 'strengths' for multiple qualities). | Confused with 'vigorously', which is an adverb., Incorrectly used as a verb., Omitting its use in a positive context. |
| Usage notes | Used when talking about physical power, mental resilience, or overall capacity. In formal contexts, it might refer to both human and material strength. Avoid using in very casual conversations where simpler words like 'power' may suffice. | Used to describe physical or mental energy, often in a positive context. Avoid in overly formal writing. |
Frequently asked questions: Strength vs Vigor
What's the difference between Strength and Vigor?
Strength: The ability to be strong or powerful. Vigor: Great energy and strength.
Which is more common: Strength and Vigor?
Strength is the most common in everyday English.
Are Strength and Vigor the same CEFR level?
Strength: B1, Vigor: B1 on the CEFR scale.
Can I use Strength and Vigor interchangeably?
Not always. Strength and Vigor are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.