Virtue is thinking and doing what is right and avoiding what is wrong.
Virtue is not confined to those who follow a faith.
She could have established her own innocence and virtue easily enough.
2. countable noun
A virtue is a good quality or way of behaving.
His virtue is patience.
Her flaws were as large as her virtues.
Humility is considered a virtue.
Synonyms: merit, strength, asset, plus [informal] More Synonyms of virtue
3. countable noun
The virtue of something is an advantage or benefit that it has, especially in comparison with something else.
There was no virtue in returning to Calvi the way I had come. [+ in]
It's other great virtue, of course, is its hard-wearing quality.
4. phrase
You use by virtue of to explain why something happens or is true.
[formal]
The article stuck in my mind by virtue of one detail.
Mr Olaechea has British residency by virtue of his marriage.
5.
See make a virtue of
More Synonyms of virtue
virtue in British English
(ˈvɜːtjuː, -tʃuː)
noun
1.
the quality or practice of moral excellence or righteousness
2.
a particular moral excellence
the virtue of tolerance
3.
any of the cardinal virtues (prudence, justice, fortitude, and temperance) or theological virtues (faith, hope, and charity)
4.
any admirable quality, feature, or trait
5.
chastity, esp in women
6. archaic
an effective, active, or inherent power or force
7. by virtue of
8. make a virtue of necessity
Derived forms
virtueless (ˈvirtueless)
adjective
Word origin
C13: vertu, from Old French, from Latin virtūs manliness, courage, from vir man
virtue in American English
(ˈvɜrtʃu)
noun
1.
general moral excellence; right action and thinking; goodness or morality
2.
a specific moral quality regarded as good or meritorious
see also cardinal virtues, theological virtues
3.
chastity, esp. in a woman
4.
a.
excellence in general; merit
the virtue in planning ahead
b.
a good quality or feature
the virtues of teaching as a profession
5.
effective power or force; efficacy; esp., the ability to heal or strengthen
the virtue of a medicine
6. Rare
manly quality; strength, courage, etc.
Idioms:
by virtue of
make a virtue of necessity
Word origin
ME vertue < OFr vertu, virtue, goodness, power < L virtus, manliness, worth < vir, man: see werewolf
COBUILD Collocations
virtue
embody a virtue
old-fashioned virtue
Examples of 'virtue' in a sentence
virtue
Make a virtue of your tenacity, or overwhelmingly feel that life is too short?
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
If he is to make a virtue of productivity, he needs to stop apologising.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
It is always pleasing to have one 's inherent virtue recognised.
Times, Sunday Times (2017)
I wouldn't say we are some paragon of virtue when it comes to backing dictators.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
The great virtue is sticking to that same target.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
Industry and constant employment are great preservatives of the morals and virtues of a nation.
Brian Thompson DEVASTATING EDEN: The Search for Utopia in America (2004)
You have many virtues but humility is definitely not one of them.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
Society has been divided into factions that religiously uphold one virtue of humanity.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
This means you must add patience to your virtues.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
Lower public spending is both a necessity and a virtue and that will require imaginative change.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
Getting to actually learn a skill is one of the great virtues of being an actor.
The Sun (2012)
General moral virtue does not come from a heart that has given up its need to feel superior to others.
Christianity Today (2000)
She came from an age when discretion was not just a virtue but a way of life and a wartime duty.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
The Bible teaches charity is a virtue.
The Sun (2011)
More deception goes into pretending we're sticking to them than virtue comes from actually seeing them through.
The Sun (2011)
Staying positive' is usually presented as one of cricket's cardinal virtues.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
Quotations
Virtue is the fount whence honour springsChristopher MarloweTamburlaine the Great
Virtue is its own rewardCiceroDe Finibus
Virtue is like a rich stone, best plain setFrancis BaconEssays
Who can find a virtuous woman? For her price is far above rubiesBible: Proverbs
For 'tis some virtue, virtue to commendWilliam Congreve
Virtue could see to do what Virtue would By her own radiant light, though sun and moon Were in the flat sea sunkJohn MiltonComus
Against the threats Of malice or of sorcery, or that power Which erring men call chance, this I hold firm, Virtue may be assailed, but never hurt, Surprised by unjust force, but not enthralledJohn MiltonComus
It is queer how it is always one's virtues and not one's vices that precipitate one into disasterRebecca WestThere Is No Conversation
The weakest of all weak things is a virtue which has not been tested in the fireMark TwainThe Man That Corrupted Hadleyburg
I cannot praise a fugitive and cloistered virtue, unexercised and unbreathed, that never sallies out and seesher adversary, but slinks out of the race, where that immortal garland is to be run for, not without dust and heat... that which purifies us is trial, and trial is by what is contraryJohn MiltonAreopagitica
In other languages
virtue
British English: virtue NOUN
integrityVirtue is thinking and doing what is right and avoiding what is wrong.
Virtue is its own reward.
American English: virtue
Brazilian Portuguese: virtude
Chinese: 正直
European Spanish: virtud
French: vertu
German: Tugend
Italian: virtù
Japanese: 善行
Korean: 선행
European Portuguese: virtude
Latin American Spanish: virtud
British English: virtue NOUN
quality A virtue is a good quality or way of behaving.
His virtue is patience.
American English: virtue
Brazilian Portuguese: virtude
Chinese: 正直的品性
European Spanish: virtud
French: vertu
German: Tugend
Italian: virtù
Japanese: 美徳
Korean: 미덕
European Portuguese: virtude
Latin American Spanish: virtud
All related terms of 'virtue'
easy virtue
loose morals ; sexual promiscuity
by virtue of
on account of or by reason of
cardinal virtue
anything considered to be an important or characteristic virtue
virtue signalling
behaviour that is aimed at demonstrating one's own enlightened attitudes
embody a virtue
A virtue is a good quality or way of behaving .
make a virtue of
If you make a virtue of something, you pretend that you did it because you chose to, although in fact you did it because you had to.
old-fashioned virtue
A virtue is a good quality or way of behaving .
woman of easy virtue
a sexually available woman , esp a prostitute
make a virtue of necessity
to acquiesce in doing something unpleasant with a show of grace because one must do it in any case
Chinese translation of 'virtue'
virtue
(ˈvəːtjuː)
n
(u) (= moral correctness) 美德 (měidé)
(c) (= good quality) 优(優)点(點) (yōudiǎn)
(c) (= advantage) 优(優)势(勢) (yōushì)
by virtue of (frm) 由于(於) (yóuyú)
1 (noun)
Definition
moral goodness
His mother was held up to the family as a paragon of virtue.
Synonyms
goodness
He retains his faith in human goodness.
honour
I can no longer serve with honour as a member of your government.
integrity
I have always regarded him as a man of integrity.
worth
Her boss did not appreciate her true worth until she quit.
dignity
excellence
morality
an effort to preserve traditional morality
honesty
It's time for complete honesty from political representatives.
decency
respectability
nobility
There can be no doubt about the remarkable strength and nobility of her character.
righteousness
adopting a tone of moral righteousness
propriety
probity (formal)
a woman renowned for her moral probity
rectitude
people of the utmost rectitude
worthiness
high-mindedness
incorruptibility
uprightness
a contest in which courage and uprightness win through
virtuousness
ethicalness
Opposites
vice,
evil
,
corruption
, sin,
dishonesty
,
depravity
,
immorality
,
dishonour
,
debauchery
,
sinfulness
,
turpitude
2 (noun)
Definition
a positive moral quality
His chief virtue is patience.
Synonyms
merit
strength
Take into account your own strengths and weaknesses.
asset
Her leadership qualities were a great asset to the party.
plus (informal)
A big plus is that the data can be stored on a PC.
attribute
He has every attribute a footballer could want.
good quality
good point
strong point
Discretion is not his strong point.
Opposites
failing
,
drawback
,
shortcoming
,
frailty
,
weak point
3 (noun)
Definition
an advantage or benefit
There is no virtue in overexercising.
Synonyms
advantage
A good crowd will be a definite advantage to the team.
benefit
I'm a great believer in the benefits of this form of therapy.
merit
They have been persuaded of the merits of the scheme.
credit
It would be wrong of us to take all the credit for this result.
usefulness
His interest lay in the usefulness of his work.
efficacy
Recent medical studies confirm the efficacy of a healthier lifestyle.
4 (noun)
Definition
chastity, esp. in women
(old-fashioned)
His many attempts on her virtue were all unavailing.
Synonyms
chastity
I took a vow of chastity and celibacy when I became a priest.
honour (old-fashioned)
She kept her honour intact throughout the war.
virginity
She lost her virginity when she was 20.
innocence
She can still evoke the innocence of 14-year-old Juliet.
purity
The American Female Reform Society promoted sexual purity.
maidenhood
chasteness
Opposites
promiscuity
,
unchastity
phrase
See by virtue of
Quotations
Virtue is the fount whence honour springs [Christopher Marlowe – Tamburlaine the Great]Virtue is its own reward [Cicero – De Finibus]Virtue is like a rich stone, best plain set [Francis Bacon – Essays]Who can find a virtuous woman? For her price is far above rubies [Bible: Proverbs]For 'tis some virtue, virtue to commend [William Congreve]Virtue could see to do what Virtue would By her own radiant light, though sun and moon Were in the flat sea sunk [John Milton – Comus]Against the threats Of malice or of sorcery, or that power Which erring men call chance, this I hold firm, Virtue may be assailed, but never hurt, Surprised by unjust force, but not enthralled [John Milton – Comus]It is queer how it is always one's virtues and not one's vices that precipitate one into disaster [Rebecca West – There Is No Conversation]The weakest of all weak things is a virtue which has not been tested in the fire [Mark Twain – The Man That Corrupted Hadleyburg]I cannot praise a fugitive and cloistered virtue, unexercised and unbreathed, that never sallies out and sees her adversary, but slinks out of the race, where that immortal garland is to be run for, not without dust and heat... that which purifies us is trial, and trial is by what is contrary [John Milton – Areopagitica]
Additional synonyms
in the sense of asset
Definition
a thing or person that is valuable or useful
Her leadership qualities were a great asset to the party.
Synonyms
benefit,
help,
service,
aid,
advantage,
strength,
resource,
attraction,
blessing,
boon,
good point,
strong point,
ace in the hole,
feather in your cap,
ace up your sleeve
in the sense of attribute
Definition
a quality or feature representative of a person or thing
He has every attribute a footballer could want.
Synonyms
quality,
point,
mark,
sign,
note,
feature,
property,
character,
element,
aspect,
symbol,
characteristic,
indication,
distinction,
virtue,
trait,
hallmark (British),
facet,
quirk,
peculiarity,
idiosyncrasy
in the sense of benefit
Definition
a payment made by an institution or government to a person who is ill, unemployed, etc.
I'm a great believer in the benefits of this form of therapy.
Synonyms
good,
use,
help,
profit,
gain,
advantage,
favour,
reward,
utility,
merit,
boon,
mileage (informal),
avail
Synonyms of 'virtue'
virtue
Explore 'virtue' in the dictionary
Additional synonyms
in the sense of credit
Definition
praise or approval, as for an achievement or quality
It would be wrong of us to take all the credit for this result.
Synonyms
praise,
honour,
recognition,
glory,
thanks,
approval,
fame,
tribute,
merit,
acclaim,
acknowledgment,
kudos,
commendation,
Brownie points
in the sense of efficacy
Recent medical studies confirm the efficacy of a healthier lifestyle.
Synonyms
effectiveness,
efficiency,
power,
value,
success,
strength,
virtue,
vigour,
use,
usefulness,
potency,
fruitfulness,
productiveness,
efficaciousness
in the sense of high-mindedness
Synonyms
integrity,
probity (formal),
rectitude,
scrupulousness,
uprightness
in the sense of honesty
Definition
the quality of being truthful and trustworthy
It's time for complete honesty from political representatives.
Synonyms
integrity,
honour,
virtue,
morality,
fidelity,
probity (formal),
rectitude,
veracity,
faithfulness,
truthfulness,
trustworthiness,
straightness,
incorruptibility,
scrupulousness,
uprightness,
reputability
in the sense of honour
Definition
allegiance to moral principles
I can no longer serve with honour as a member of your government.
Synonyms
integrity,
principles,
morality,
honesty,
goodness,
fairness,
decency,
righteousness,
probity (formal),
rectitude,
trustworthiness,
uprightness
in the sense of honour
Definition
a woman's virginity
She kept her honour intact throughout the war.
Synonyms
virginity,
virtue,
innocence,
purity,
modesty,
chastity
in the sense of innocence
She can still evoke the innocence of 14-year-old Juliet.
Synonyms
chastity,
virtue,
purity,
modesty,
virginity,
celibacy,
continence,
maidenhood,
stainlessness
in the sense of integrity
Definition
honesty
I have always regarded him as a man of integrity.
Synonyms
honesty,
principle,
honour,
virtue,
goodness,
morality,
purity,
righteousness,
probity (formal),
rectitude,
truthfulness,
trustworthiness,
incorruptibility,
uprightness,
scrupulousness,
reputability
in the sense of morality
Definition
good moral conduct
an effort to preserve traditional morality
Synonyms
virtue,
justice,
principles,
morals,
honour,
integrity,
goodness,
honesty,
purity,
decency,
fair play,
righteousness,
good behaviour,
propriety,
chastity,
probity (formal),
rectitude,
rightness,
uprightness
in the sense of nobility
Definition
the quality of being noble
There can be no doubt about the remarkable strength and nobility of her character.
Synonyms
integrity,
honour,
virtue,
goodness,
honesty,
righteousness,
probity (formal),
rectitude,
worthiness,
incorruptibility,
uprightness,
excellence,
superiority,
eminence,
illustriousness
Additional synonyms
in the sense of plus
Definition
a gain, surplus, or advantage
A big plus is that the data can be stored on a PC.
Synonyms
advantage,
benefit,
asset,
gain,
extra,
bonus,
perk (British, informal),
good point,
icing on the cake
in the sense of probity
Definition
honesty
a woman renowned for her moral probity
Synonyms
integrity,
worth,
justice,
honour,
equity,
virtue,
goodness,
morality,
honesty,
fairness,
fidelity,
sincerity,
righteousness,
rectitude,
truthfulness,
trustworthiness,
uprightness
in the sense of purity
The American Female Reform Society promoted sexual purity.
Synonyms
innocence,
virtue,
integrity,
honesty,
decency,
sincerity,
virginity,
piety,
chastity,
rectitude,
guilelessness,
virtuousness,
chasteness,
blamelessness
in the sense of rectitude
Definition
moral or religious correctness
people of the utmost rectitude
Synonyms
morality,
principle,
honour,
virtue,
decency,
justice,
equity,
integrity,
goodness,
honesty,
correctness,
righteousness,
probity (formal),
incorruptibility,
scrupulousness,
uprightness
in the sense of righteousness
adopting a tone of moral righteousness
Synonyms
virtue,
justice,
honour,
equity,
integrity,
goodness,
morality,
honesty,
purity,
probity (formal),
rectitude,
faithfulness,
uprightness,
blamelessness,
ethicalness
in the sense of strength
Definition
something regarded as valuable or a source of power
Take into account your own strengths and weaknesses.
Synonyms
strong point,
skill,
asset,
advantage,
talent,
forte,
speciality,
aptitude
in the sense of strong point
Definition
something at which one is very good
Discretion is not his strong point.
Synonyms
forte,
strength,
speciality,
advantage,
asset,
strong suit,
métier,
long suit (informal)
in the sense of uprightness
a contest in which courage and uprightness win through
Synonyms
honesty,
justice,
virtue,
integrity,
goodness,
fairness,
righteousness,
probity (formal),
rectitude,
faithfulness,
trustworthiness,
straightforwardness,
high-mindedness,
incorruptibility
in the sense of usefulness
His interest lay in the usefulness of his work.
Synonyms
helpfulness,
value,
worth,
use,
help,
service,
benefit,
profit,
utility,
effectiveness,
convenience,
practicality,
efficacy
in the sense of virginity
Definition
the condition or fact of being a virgin
She lost her virginity when she was 20.
Synonyms
chastity,
maidenhead,
maidenhood
Additional synonyms
in the sense of worth
Definition
high quality
Her boss did not appreciate her true worth until she quit.