virtues
B2Formal, literary, and academic. Also used in everyday moral/ethical discussion.
Definition
Meaning
Positive moral qualities or character traits considered good, such as honesty, courage, and kindness.
1. The inherent advantages or benefits of something. 2. (archaic) Inherent power or efficacy, e.g., of a herb.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Often used in plural form to refer to a set of good qualities. The singular 'virtue' can refer to a specific good quality or to moral excellence in general. Can be used in non-moral contexts (e.g., 'the virtues of the new system').
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or usage. Spelling is identical.
Connotations
Slightly more associated with classical/religious discourse in both varieties.
Frequency
Comparably frequent in both varieties, perhaps slightly more common in UK English in formal writing.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
extol/praise/laud the virtues of [something]by virtue of [something] (due to)a man/woman of many virtuesthe virtues outweigh the vicesVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “by virtue of”
- “make a virtue of necessity”
- “a paragon of virtue”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Used to describe the advantages of a product, strategy, or employee trait ('We discussed the commercial virtues of the proposal').
Academic
Common in philosophy, ethics, theology, and literature to discuss moral systems ('The paper analyses the cardinal virtues in Aristotelian thought').
Everyday
Used in discussions of character, parenting, or evaluating things ('One of his greatest virtues is his patience').
Technical
Rare in hard sciences; can appear in social sciences like psychology ('The study measured perceived virtues in leadership').
Examples
By Part of Speech
adjective
British English
- Virtuous behaviour is often praised.
- She led a virtuous life.
American English
- He made a virtuous decision.
- Their virtuous efforts were recognized.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- Honesty and kindness are important virtues.
- My grandmother taught me about good virtues.
- The book lists the seven heavenly virtues.
- Patience is one of her best virtues.
- He was respected for his many virtues, including integrity and courage.
- The politician spoke about the traditional virtues of hard work and thrift.
- The essay critically examines whether these classical virtues are still relevant in modern society.
- She argued the proposal's virtues far outweighed its potential drawbacks.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
VIRTUES = Very Important Righteous Traits Underpin Ethical Society.
Conceptual Metaphor
VIRTUE IS A TREASURE / VIRTUE IS A LIGHT ('a shining example of virtue', 'he possessed a wealth of virtues').
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid direct translation from Russian 'достоинства' when it means 'merits/advantages' of an object—use 'virtues' primarily for people/character. 'Добродетель' is the closer match.
- The phrase 'by virtue of' means 'because of' and is not directly related to moral goodness.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'virtues' as an uncountable noun (*He has a lot of virtues)* is acceptable. Confusing 'virtue' (singular) with 'virtues' (plural) in set phrases: *'by virtues of'* is incorrect; it's *'by virtue of'*.
Practice
Quiz
What is the meaning of 'by virtue of' in the sentence: 'He was admitted by virtue of his excellent qualifications.'?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it can be used for things abstract ('the virtues of democracy') or concrete ('the virtues of this software'), meaning their good qualities or advantages.
In classical philosophy and Christian theology, they are prudence, justice, temperance, and courage – considered the primary moral virtues.
Yes, sometimes. It can be used ironically or sarcastically ('He was preaching about the virtues of punctuality, though he's always late'), or to imply old-fashioned or rigid morality ('her stifling Victorian virtues').
A 'virtue' is a morally good character trait (e.g., honesty). A 'value' is a principle or standard of behaviour that one considers important (e.g., freedom). Values inform which virtues one pursues.