What does virtue mean?
Virtue means moral excellence: the quality of being honest, compassionate, courageous, fair, or otherwise ethically admirable. In everyday use, people often call a particular good quality a virtue, as in “Patience is a virtue,” or refer to the traditional virtues of courage, wisdom, justice, and temperance. The word carries a formal and elevated tone and may suggest either genuine moral character or, sometimes, deliberate displays of goodness. It is also important in religious and philosophical traditions, where virtues are qualities that people are encouraged to cultivate. In expressions such as “in virtue of,” the word has a more technical legal meaning, referring to a legal right or authority arising from something else. Overall, virtue describes both the quality of being morally good and the specific qualities that make a person or thing admirable.
nounVirtue is moral excellence or the quality of behaving in accordance with high ethical standards. It can also refer to a desirable quality or strength, such as clarity, courage, or practicality.
- Moral excellence or behavior that conforms to high ethical standards.
- A quality, strength, or feature that is especially desirable.
- One of the qualities or moral principles recognized in a religious or philosophical tradition, such as a cardinal virtue.
"She was admired for the virtues of honesty, compassion, and courage."
"Her patience and fairness are virtues that inspire trust."
"A major virtue of the design is its simplicity."
The plural is used for multiple qualities or moral strengths, often when contrasting them with vices.
"The novel explores the virtues and flaws of its central character."
Virtue entered English from Latin virtus, whose original meaning combined masculine courage, excellence, and worth.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does virtue come from?
The word comes through Old French from Latin virtus, a term associated with vir, meaning “man,” and originally conveying masculine excellence, courage, and valor. In English, its emphasis gradually shifted toward moral goodness and ethically admirable qualities. Related words such as virile and virility continue to reflect the same Latin root and its associations with manliness and strength.
Related word forms
How virtue is actually used
The word is generally formal or traditional in tone. It can be used approvingly, but modern speakers may also use it ironically when describing conspicuous displays of moral goodness.
Easily confused with virtue
A virtue is a morally admirable quality, whereas a vice is a habit or behavior considered morally bad.