virtue

noun

vir·​tue ˈvər-(ˌ)chü 

1

: morally good behavior or character

those who lead lives of virtue

2

: a good and moral quality

Patience is a virtue.

The very virtue of compassion in thee …

—William Shakespeare

3

: the good result that comes from something

the virtue of hard work

4

: an advantage or benefit

One of the virtues of this job is the flexible hours.

… red pepper's medicinal virtues …

—Anne Mendelson

5

: strength or courage : valor

But amid all his masculine and English virtue, he has this weak touch of meekness, or acceptance of the powers that be.

—G. K. Chesterton

6

: a capacity to act : potency

She had the virtue to confront her bully.

7

: chastity

8

virtues plural : an order of angels see celestial hierarchy

virtueless

ˈvər-(ˌ)chü-ləs 

adjective

see also:

by virtue of make a virtue of necessity

Synonyms of virtue

• distinction
• advantage
• value
• merit
• excellence
• grace

Examples of virtue in a Sentence

He led me across the concrete floor, through a concrete warehouse, and to the concrete screening room, where he began to extol the virtue and beauty of his eleven-mile-long sewage interceptor. —Frederick Kaufman, Harper's, February 2008

Disinterestedness was the most common term the founders used as a synonym for the classical conception of virtue or self-sacrifice; it better conveyed the threats from interests that virtue seemed increasingly to face in the rapidly commercializing eighteenth century. —Gordon S. Wood, Revolutionary Characters, 2006

It was not only his title that made Poor Richard—and by extension [Benjamin] Franklin—an honorary Frenchman. He may well have devoted a great amount of ink to virtue and order, but he checked those concepts at the door of the beau monde; he made it clear that he was not too good for that world … —Stacy Schiff, A Great Improvisation, 2005

Nerviness is considered a virtue, a good machine, an energy that builds nations, businesses and dynasties. Handed down from generation to generation, like a caustic strand of DNA, it infects the unhappy, the unfortunate and the unlucky, and turns them into desperate strivers, prepared to do anything to realize their ridiculous ambitions. —David Byrne, The New Sins/Los Nuevos Pecados, 2001

Some rise by sin, and some by virtue fall … —William Shakespeare, Measure for Measure, 1605

the virtue of wool as a clothing material is that it can provide insulation from the cold even when wet

a lady of honor and virtue

Recent Examples on the Web

Dolan in her own statement played up the virtues of a home entertainment release. — Etan Vlessing, HollywoodReporter, 8 July 2026

Patience is a virtue Christensen said his agents have heard from a handful of teams since the start of free agency. — Charlotte Observer, 7 July 2026

The same amount of venality and virtue exists today as did back then, and so human nature just doesn’t change. — Ted Johnson, Deadline, 2 July 2026

Clicking it gets a note extolling the virtues of upgrading to the premium edition. — Neil J. Rubenking, PC Magazine, 1 July 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English vertu, virtu, from Anglo-French, from Latin virtut-, virtus strength, manliness, virtue, from vir man — more at virile

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing virtue

• by virtue of
• cardinal virtue
• easy virtue
• in virtue of
• make a virtue of necessity
• make a virtue out of necessity
• paragon of virtue
• theological virtue
• virtue-signal
• virtue signaling
• virtue signalling

Rhymes for virtue

• virtu

Kids Definition

virtue

noun

vir·​tue ˈvər-chü 

1

: conduct that agrees with what is morally right

2

: a particular moral quality

justice and charity are virtues

3

: a desirable quality : merit

the virtues of country life

Etymology

Middle English vertu, virtu "behavior that fits with what is right or moral," from early French virtu (same meaning), from Latin virtus "strength, virtue, manly quality," from vir "man, male" — related to virile