vice
B2Formal for the moral/legal sense; technical/administrative for the 'second in command' sense; workshop/jargon for the tool.
Definition
Meaning
A moral fault or wicked habit; criminal activity involving immoral or illegal behavior.
Used as a prefix to mean 'in place of' or 'second in command'; also refers to a tool used for holding work steady.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Three distinct lexemes: 1) (n.) moral failing/crime. 2) (prefix) deputy/substitute. 3) (n.) mechanical clamping tool. The moral sense is often contrasted with 'virtue'. The prefix form is always hyphenated (e.g., vice-captain).
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The spelling 'vice' (for the tool) is standard in both. The prefix usage is identical. The moral/legal sense is used similarly, but the phrase 'vice squad' (police unit) is more common in AmE news media.
Connotations
In BrE, 'vice' (moral) can sound slightly old-fashioned or formal (e.g., 'vice and virtue'). In AmE, it's strongly associated with law enforcement (vice crimes, vice unit).
Frequency
The moral/legal sense is moderately low frequency in general discourse. The prefix is common in titles. The tool sense is low frequency outside specific contexts.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[vice] of [noun] (the vice of greed)[vice] [noun] (vice chairman)be gripped by [a vice]a [tool] held in a [vice]Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Vice versa”
- “A necessary vice”
- “The vice of fashion”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Refers to a deputy role (Vice President of Sales).
Academic
Discussed in ethics, philosophy, and sociology (the study of vice in urban societies).
Everyday
Used to describe a bad habit (Coffee is my one vice).
Technical
Refers to a workshop tool (tighten the workpiece in the vice).
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- (Rare/archaic) Not in common use as a verb.
American English
- (Rare/archaic) Not in common use as a verb.
adverb
British English
- (None) 'Vice' is not used as an adverb.
American English
- (None) 'Vice' is not used as an adverb.
adjective
British English
- (Only as prefix) He is the vice-chancellor of the university.
- (Moral sense - obsolete) 'Vice' is not used as a standalone adjective.
American English
- (Only as prefix) She was promoted to Vice-President of Operations.
- (Moral sense - obsolete) Not used.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- Gambling can be a dangerous vice.
- The vice-captain led the team today.
- Police arrested him for involvement in vice.
- She used a vice to hold the pipe steady while cutting it.
- The novel explores the timeless themes of virtue and vice in society.
- As Vice-Principal, her responsibilities include student discipline.
- The city's authorities launched a crackdown on organised vice in the downtown district.
- The argument can be applied vice versa without losing its logical coherence.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'ice' in 'vice' – both are hard. A vice (tool) holds things tightly. A vice (habit) has a tight grip on a person.
Conceptual Metaphor
VICE IS A PHYSICAL GRIP/CONTROL (e.g., 'in the grip of vice', 'held fast by his vices').
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with Russian 'вице-' (prefix) which is identical. The moral sense 'vice' is not 'вина' (guilt/fault) but closer to 'порок'. The tool 'vice' is 'тиски'.
Common Mistakes
- Misspelling as 'vise' for the moral sense (AmE allows 'vise' only for the tool).
- Using 'vice' without a hyphen as a prefix (incorrect: 'vice principal'; correct: 'vice-principal' in BrE).
- Confusing 'vice versa' (the other way around) with 'versus' (against).
Practice
Quiz
In which sentence is 'vice' used to mean 'a tool'?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
In its primary moral sense, yes. However, in informal contexts, it can refer to a minor, harmless bad habit (e.g., 'Chocolate is my only vice').
In British English, 'vice' is used for all meanings. In American English, 'vice' is used for the moral fault and the prefix, while 'vise' is the preferred spelling for the clamping tool.
It is attached with a hyphen to a title or role to mean 'deputy' or 'second in rank' (e.g., vice-chairman, vice-governor). Usage and hyphenation can vary by organisation.
It is a Latin phrase adopted into English meaning 'the other way around' or 'with the order reversed' (e.g., 'She distrusts him, and vice versa' means he also distrusts her).