Main Entry:

righ·teous

Pronunciation:

\ˈrī-chəs\

Function:

adjective

Etymology:

alteration of earlier rightuous, alteration of Middle English rightwise, rightwos, from Old English rihtwīs, from riht, noun, right + wīs wise

Date:

1530

1: acting in accord with divine or moral law : free from guilt or sin2 a: morally right or justifiable <a righteous decision> b: arising from an outraged sense of justice or morality <righteous indignation>3slang : genuine, excellent

synonyms see moral

— righ·teous·ly adverb

— righ·teous·ness noun