virtue

noun

vir·​tue ˈvər-(ˌ)chü How to pronounce virtue (audio)
Synonyms of virtuenext
1
a
: conformity to a standard of right : morality
b
: a particular moral excellence
2
: a beneficial quality or power of a thing
3
: manly strength or courage : valor
4
: a commendable quality or trait : merit
5
: a capacity to act : potency
6
: chastity especially in a woman
7
virtues plural : an order of angels see celestial hierarchy
virtueless
ˈvər-(ˌ)chü-ləs How to pronounce virtue (audio)
adjective
Phrases
by virtue of or in virtue of
: through the force of : by authority of

Synonyms

See All Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus

Examples of virtue in a Sentence

He led me across the concrete floor, through a concrete warehouse, and to the concrete screening room, where he began to extol the virtue and beauty of his eleven-mile-long sewage interceptor. — Frederick Kaufman, Harper's, February 2008
Disinterestedness was the most common term the founders used as a synonym for the classical conception of virtue or self-sacrifice; it better conveyed the threats from interests that virtue seemed increasingly to face in the rapidly commercializing eighteenth century. — Gordon S. Wood, Revolutionary Characters, 2006
It was not only his title that made Poor Richard—and by extension [Benjamin] Franklin—an honorary Frenchman. He may well have devoted a great amount of ink to virtue and order, but he checked those concepts at the door of the beau monde; he made it clear that he was not too good for that world … — Stacy Schiff, A Great Improvisation, 2005
Nerviness is considered a virtue, a good machine, an energy that builds nations, businesses and dynasties. Handed down from generation to generation, like a caustic strand of DNA, it infects the unhappy, the unfortunate and the unlucky, and turns them into desperate strivers, prepared to do anything to realize their ridiculous ambitions. — David Byrne, The New Sins/Los Nuevos Pecados, 2001
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The Kings hold the tiebreaker by virtue of their 2-1 lead in the season series. — Jason Anderson, Sacbee.com, 6 Apr. 2025 They are sent off to a grandmother in Ontario who is the epitome of cold, self-righteous Protestant virtue. — Margaret Atwood, New Yorker, 6 Apr. 2025 The American physician, W. Golden Mortimer, author of History of Coca (1901), acknowledged coca as a panacea, noting its virtues as a medicine, tonic, and food. — Wade Davis, Rolling Stone, 6 Apr. 2025 The Hawks currently hold the tiebreaker over the Heat after the teams finished the season series 2-2, by virtue of division record, a tiebreaker that could yet change based on the Hawks’ two remaining games against the Orlando Magic. — Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 5 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for virtue

Word History

Etymology

Middle English vertu, virtu, from Anglo-French, from Latin virtut-, virtus strength, manliness, virtue, from vir man — more at virile

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of virtue was in the 13th century

Phrases Containing virtue

Rhymes for virtue

See All Rhymes for virtue

Browse Nearby Words

virtual reality
virtue
virtue signaling
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Virtue.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/virtue. Accessed 12 Apr. 2025.

Copy Citation

Share

Kids Definition

virtue

noun
vir·​tue ˈvər-chü How to pronounce virtue (audio)
1
: conduct that agrees with what is morally right
2
: a particular moral quality
justice and charity are virtues
3
: a desirable quality : merit
the virtues of country life
Etymology

Middle English vertu, virtu "behavior that fits with what is right or moral," from early French virtu (same meaning), from Latin virtus "strength, virtue, manly quality," from vir "man, male" — related to virile

More from Merriam-Webster on virtue

Nglish: Translation of virtue for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about virtue

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Words in Disguise: Do these seem familiar?

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

Words You Always Have to Look Up

Democracy or Republic: What's the difference?

Every Letter Is Silent, Sometimes: A-Z List of Examples
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

What do SCOTUS, POTUS, and FLOTUS mean?

'When Pigs Fly' and Other Barnyard Idioms

8 Words with Fascinating Histories

8 Words for Lesser-Known Musical Instruments

Birds Say the Darndest Things
See More

Popular

See More

Words in Disguise: Do these seem familiar?

What do SCOTUS, POTUS, and FLOTUS mean?

'When Pigs Fly' and Other Barnyard Idioms
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Word Game Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
a game of hangman on lined paper
Hangman Lightning Round Figure out which word fits in the blanks.
See All