dévirginiser

A rare, somewhat clinical-sounding synonym of déflorer (to deflower/take someone's virginity) built directly from vierge (virgin). Dictionaries and usage both treat déflorer as the standard, far more common word, with dévirginiser as an occasional, less natural-sounding alternative.

• Le roman évoque le moment où l'héroïne a été dévirginisée. — The novel evokes the moment the heroine lost her virginity.
• Ce terme, plus clinique que déflorer, est rarement employé à l'oral. — This term, more clinical than déflorer, is rarely used in speech.
• L'auteur préfère dévirginiser à déflorer pour son ton froid et direct. — The author prefers dévirginiser to déflorer for its cold, direct tone.

Learners who pick up dévirginiser (because it visibly contains 'virgin') should know that déflorer is the word French speakers actually reach for — dévirginiser exists but sounds noticeably stiffer and less idiomatic.

Often confused with déflorer.