virtue
C1Formal, Literary, General
Definition
Meaning
Moral excellence and righteousness; a quality considered morally good or desirable in a person.
An inherent positive quality or feature of something (e.g., a plan, a machine, a substance).
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Primarily an abstract, uncountable noun referring to the concept of moral goodness. As a countable noun, it refers to individual good qualities (e.g., patience, honesty). The extended meaning of 'advantage' or 'beneficial feature' is common in less formal contexts.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Minimal. The word is used identically in both varieties. The idiom 'by virtue of' is slightly more formal in American English but equally used.
Connotations
In both, carries strong moral/ethical and sometimes slightly old-fashioned or religious connotations. In extended use ('the virtue of this method'), it is neutral.
Frequency
Slightly higher frequency in British English in historical/literary contexts, but overall usage is comparable.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[have/possess] + virtue[be] + a virtue + [of]by virtue of + [noun phrase][adjective] + in virtue of + [fact]Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “by virtue of”
- “make a virtue of necessity”
- “virtue is its own reward”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Used in corporate ethics discussions (e.g., 'We must uphold the virtues of transparency'). The extended meaning is common (e.g., 'The chief virtue of this software is its simplicity').
Academic
Frequent in philosophy, ethics, theology, and literature to discuss moral systems and character.
Everyday
Less frequent. Used for emphasis in phrases like 'Patience is a virtue' or 'the virtue of slow cooking'.
Technical
Rare, except in specific fields like 'virtue ethics' in philosophy.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- (No direct verb form. Archaic 'virtue' as a verb is obsolete.)
American English
- (No direct verb form.)
adverb
British English
- (No direct adverb form. 'Virtuously' is rarely used.)
- He lived virtuously according to his principles.
American English
- She smiled virtuously after returning the lost wallet.
- (Rare in modern usage.)
adjective
British English
- She was a virtuous and charitable woman.
- He made a virtuous decision to donate the money.
American English
- It's a virtuous cycle of investment and growth.
- She felt virtuous after her morning workout.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- Honesty is an important virtue.
- Patience is a virtue.
- One of her greatest virtues is her kindness to everyone.
- The plan has the virtue of being very simple to follow.
- By virtue of his seniority, he was given the final say on the matter.
- The novel explores the classic conflict between virtue and vice.
- The politician's public image of virtue was starkly at odds with his private dealings.
- They argued that the virtue of the proposed policy lay in its fiscal neutrality.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'VIRTUous EThics' – the core of the word 'virtue' is about being good and ethical.
Conceptual Metaphor
VIRTUE IS A POSSESSION ('She has many virtues'), VIRTUE IS A PATH/JOURNEY ('the path of virtue'), VIRTUE IS STRENGTH ('moral fibre').
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid confusing with Russian 'добродетель' in all non-moral contexts. Russian 'достоинство' often translates to 'dignity' or 'advantage', not 'virtue'. The phrase 'by virtue of' should not be translated literally as 'по вине' (which means 'due to a fault').
Common Mistakes
- Using 'virtue' as a direct synonym for 'advantage' in very casual speech (can sound stilted). Confusing 'virtue' (moral good) with 'virtual' (almost or simulated). Incorrectly using the plural ('virtues') for the uncountable concept.
Practice
Quiz
In the sentence 'The main virtue of this approach is its cost-effectiveness,' the word 'virtue' is closest in meaning to:
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Overwhelmingly positive. It refers to morally good qualities or beneficial features.
In classical philosophy and theology, the four cardinal virtues are prudence, justice, temperance, and courage (fortitude).
Yes. In modern usage, it's common to say 'the virtue of this method is its speed,' meaning its chief advantage or positive feature.
Yes, it is moderately formal. In everyday speech, people are more likely to say 'because of' or 'due to.'
Collections
Part of a collection
Philosophical Vocabulary
C2 · 44 words · Technical terms used in academic philosophy.