Definition of 'virtue'
Word forms: plural virtues
1. uncountable noun
2. countable noun
3. countable noun
The virtue of something is an advantage or benefit that it has, especially in comparison with something else.
4. phrase
5.
See make a virtue of
Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner’s Dictionary. Copyright © HarperCollins Publishers
British English pronunciation
American English pronunciation
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Word Frequency
virtue in British English
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)
5.
chastity, esp in women
7. See by virtue of
8. See make a virtue of necessity
Collins English Dictionary. Copyright © HarperCollins Publishers
Derived forms
virtueless (ˈvirtueless) adjective
Word origin
C13: vertu, from Old French, from Latin virtūs manliness, courage, from vir man
Word Frequency
virtue in American English
noun
2.
a specific moral quality regarded as good or meritorious
see also cardinal virtues, theological virtues3.
chastity, esp. in a woman
4.
b.
a good quality or feature
the virtues of teaching as a profession
5.
the virtue of a medicine
Webster’s New World College Dictionary, 4th Edition. Copyright © 2010 by
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. All rights reserved.
Word origin
ME vertue < OFr vertu, virtue, goodness, power < L virtus, manliness, worth < vir, man: see werewolfWord Frequency
virtue in American English
(ˈvɜːrtʃuː)
noun
SYNONYMS 1. See goodness. 2. probity, integrity.ANTONYMS 1. vice.1.
moral excellence; goodness; righteousness
2.
4.
a particular moral excellence
Compare cardinal virtue (sense 2), natural virtue, theological virtue5.
a good or admirable quality or property
the virtue of knowing one's weaknesses
7. See virtues
8.
manly excellence; valor
9. See by virtue of
10. See make a virtue of necessity
Most material © 2005, 1997, 1991 by Penguin Random House LLC. Modified entries © 2019
by Penguin Random House LLC and HarperCollins Publishers Ltd
Derived forms
virtueless adjective
virtuelessness
noun
Word origin
[1175–1225; alter. (with i ‹ L) of ME vertu ‹ AF, OF ‹ L virtūt- (s. of virtūs) maleness, worth, virtue, equiv. to vir man ( see virile) + -tūt- abstract n. suffix]Examples of 'virtue' in a sentence
virtue
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Quotations
Virtue is its own rewardDe Finibus
Virtue could see to do what Virtue would
By her own radiant light, though sun and moon
Were in the flat sea sunkComus
By her own radiant light, though sun and moon
Were in the flat sea sunkComus
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 enthralledComus
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 enthralledComus
It is queer how it is always one's virtues and not one's vices that precipitate one into disasterThere Is No Conversation
The weakest of all weak things is a virtue which has not been tested in the fireThe 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 contraryAreopagitica
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In other languages
virtue
British English: virtue
NOUN /ˈvɜːtʃuː; -tjuː/
integrity Virtue is thinking and doing what is right and avoiding what is wrong.
Virtue is its own reward.
British English: virtue
NOUN /ˈvɜːtʃuː; -tjuː/
quality A virtue is a good quality or way of behaving.
His virtue is patience.
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Definition of virtue from the Collins English Dictionary
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