virtues

IPA/ˈvɜː.tʃuː/
KK[vˈɚtʃuz]IPA/ˈvɝː.tʃuː/

virtues — noun

  • virtuessingular
  • virtuesesplural

1. a trait of character that reflects moral goodness, for example honesty, kindness

1.nounB2
Definition

a trait of character that reflects moral goodness, for example honesty, kindness, or bravery; the general condition of living by sound moral principles

Example

Eli's patience is a virtue his own children admire deeply.

countable: a virtue

Ms. Tariro taught her students that honesty is the most important virtue.

Common collocations
  • moral virtue
  • civic virtue
  • paragon of virtue
  • extol the virtues of
Synonyms
  • goodness

    more general; can refer to any positive quality, not only moral ones

  • morality

    focuses on the system of right and wrong, rather than an individual quality

  • integrity

    specifically means honesty and strong principles in one's actions

Antonyms
  • vice

    a bad moral quality or habit, the direct opposite of a virtue

  • immorality

    the general state of lacking moral principles

Grammar Patterns

a virtue

the virtue of something

virtues (plural)

Usage Note

Countable when naming a specific moral quality (patience, honesty); uncountable when referring to the general idea of moral goodness.

Common Mistakes

Playing the piano well is a virtue.
Playing the piano well is a skill.
'virtue' is about moral character, not learned ability or talent.

2. a good or useful feature that something has; a particular benefit that makes som

2.nounB2
Definition

a good or useful feature that something has; a particular benefit that makes something worth choosing or keeping

Example

One virtue of this small car is that it uses very little fuel.

The main virtue of the new schedule is its flexibility for working parents.

Common collocations
  • the virtue of simplicity
  • the virtue of patience (in a non-moral sense)
  • extol the virtues of
Synonyms
  • advantage

    more common in everyday speech; 'virtue' in this sense is slightly more formal

  • benefit

    emphasises the positive result or gain, rather than the feature itself

  • merit

    similar meaning but used more often for arguments, proposals, or candidates

Antonyms
  • drawback

    a negative feature that makes something less useful or attractive

  • disadvantage

    the general opposite; something that puts a thing at a worse position

Grammar Patterns

a virtue of something

the virtue of something

virtues of something

have the virtue of being + adjective

Usage Note

Often used in the pattern 'the virtue of [something] is...' when explaining what makes a thing good or useful. Distinguish from sense 1: this sense describes practical benefits, not moral character.

Common Mistakes

Her greatest virtue is being tall.
Her greatest advantage is being tall.
'virtue' in the benefit sense is usually about features of things or systems, not physical traits of people.
Idioms

by virtue of

idiom

as a direct result of having a particular quality, position, or right; because of possessing something that gives you a certain standing or ability

Jisoo got the job by virtue of her years of experience in the field.

The small town became famous by virtue of being the birthplace of a celebrated poet.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

Virtue and goodness both describe positive moral character, but virtue tends to refer to a specific trait (patience, courage) while goodness is broader and warmer — a good person is simply kind and decent. Morality is more formal and refers to the whole system of right and wrong that a person follows; you might question the morality of a decision but not its virtue. Integrity specifically means being honest and consistent in one's principles — a person of integrity does not lie or cheat. Righteousness carries a stronger, sometimes negative tone of moral superiority or self-justification. When Mr. Ito returned the lost wallet, that was virtue; when he refused to gossip about a colleague, that was integrity.

goodness ↗morality ↗integrity ↗righteousness ↗

Common collocations

Prepositions

Etymology

LatinOld FrenchEnglish

Virtue comes from the Latin word virtus, which originally meant 'manliness, courage, or excellence' and came from vir meaning 'man.' It passed into English through Old French vertu in the 13th century. Over time, under the influence of Christian teaching, the meaning shifted from 'strength and valor' to 'moral goodness and righteousness.' The sense of 'advantage or benefit' developed later as an extension of the idea of something having inherent good qualities.

First known use

13th century

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1