The core virtue meaning is moral goodness: a virtue is a good quality of character, such as honesty, patience, courage or generosity, that a person shows again and again in how they act. Used without "a," virtue means goodness in general, as in "a life of virtue."
There is a practical, non-moral sense too: an advantage or strong point, which is why people say "the virtue of this phone plan is that it has no contract." Below are the senses, the set phrase by virtue of, and how different traditions think about virtues.
Entry at a glance
Meaning
Moral goodness; a good quality of character; an advantagePart of speech
Noun (plural: virtues)Pronunciation
VUR-chooWord forms
virtuous (adjective), virtuously (adverb)Origin
Latin virtus, excellence or courageOpposite
ViceSet phrase
by virtue of (because of, on the basis of)
Virtue meaning, sense by sense
- Moral goodness in general. "They admired her virtue and fairness." Here the word is uncountable.
- A particular good quality. "Patience is a virtue I am still learning." Countable: one virtue, many virtues.
- An advantage or merit. "The great virtue of a small team is speed." No moral meaning here at all.
- An old sense: chastity. Older books speak of a person's "virtue" meaning sexual purity. This sounds dated now and is best avoided in modern writing.
The opposite of a virtue is a vice, a habit or trait considered bad, like greed or cruelty.
Sentences that use the word
- Honesty is the virtue her parents valued most, even when the truth was awkward.
- By virtue of being the oldest member, he chairs the housing society meetings.
- The virtue of a paper diary is that it never runs out of battery.
- Our coach says consistency is the most underrated virtue in sport.
- She led a quiet, virtuous life, helping neighbors and asking for nothing.
By virtue of, and other common phrases
By virtue of means "because of" or "as a result of," and it is common in formal and legal writing: "By virtue of this agreement, the tenant may use the parking area." It has no moral flavor.
Make a virtue of necessity means presenting something you were forced to do as if it were a wise choice, such as praising your "minimalist" flat when you simply cannot afford furniture.
Virtue signaling is a newer and disputed term. People use it to criticize public statements they see as aimed at looking good rather than doing good. Others reply that the label is used to dismiss sincere concern. It is best to know that the phrase is a criticism, not a neutral description.
Origin: from courage to goodness
English borrowed virtue from Old French vertu from the Latin virtus. In Roman use, virtus meant excellence, worth and especially courage. It is linked to vir, "man," so its early flavor was close to manly bravery. Over time, through Christian and philosophical writing, it widened to mean moral excellence for anyone. The word virtuoso, a highly skilled performer, comes from the same Latin family through Italian.
How traditions describe virtue
Many religious and philosophical traditions keep lists of virtues, each with its own emphasis.
- Classical Greek and Roman thought named four main or "cardinal" virtues: wisdom or prudence, justice, courage and temperance (self-control).
- Christian teaching kept those four and added three "theological" virtues: faith, hope and love (often called charity in older translations).
- Buddhist teaching speaks of perfections to be developed, among them generosity, ethical conduct, patience and wisdom.
- Islamic teaching places strong weight on good character, including honesty, patience, modesty and kindness to others.
- Confucian thought stresses humaneness, right conduct, respect for ritual and learning.
Despite different reasons and details, a shared idea runs through them: virtue is built through practice and habit, not only felt. Explore related ideas on the faith and belief pages, including grace and wisdom.
Virtue and its neighbors
| Word | How it differs |
|---|---|
| Virtue | A lasting good quality of character |
| Integrity | Being honest and consistent with your principles |
| Morality | A system of ideas about right and wrong |
| Ethics | The study or code of right conduct, often in a field like medicine |
| Merit | Worth that deserves reward; close to the advantage sense |
Specific virtues each have their own page here, such as humility, patience and compassion.
Frequently asked questions
How do you define virtue, and what is the virtue meaning in English everyday speech?
The meaning of virtue is simple: it is being good in your character and actions. A virtue is one good quality, like honesty or kindness, that a person shows regularly.
What is the definition of virtue as an advantage?
In this sense virtue just means a strong point or benefit. "The virtue of walking to work is that it is free" has nothing to do with morals.
What does by virtue of mean?
It means because of or on the basis of. "By virtue of her degree, she qualifies for the post" means her degree is the reason she qualifies.
How do you pronounce virtue?
VUR-choo. The t blends into a ch sound, much like in nature or picture.
What is the opposite of virtue?
Vice is the usual opposite. A vice is a bad habit or moral fault, such as dishonesty or greed.
Is patience is a virtue a real saying?
Yes, it is a common English proverb. People say it to encourage someone to wait calmly instead of rushing.