virtue

noun vir·tue \ ˈvər-(ˌ)chü \

Updated on: 14 May 2018

Definition of virtue

1 a : conformity to a standard of right : morality

b : a particular moral excellence

2 : a beneficial quality or power of a thing

3 : manly strength or courage : valor

4 : a commendable quality or trait : merit

5 : a capacity to act : potency

6 : chastity especially in a woman

7 virtues plural : an order of angels — see celestial hierarchy

—

virtueless

play \ˈvər-(ˌ)chü-ləs\ adjective

— by virtue of or in virtue of

: through the force of : by authority of

See virtue defined for English-language learners

See virtue defined for kids

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 of virtue from the Web

The virtues of a free press come under attack in another scene, in which a woman dumps a bucket of excrement over the head of a local official, claiming that she has been libeled by a local newspaper.

— justin chang, latimes.com, "Russian drama takes the stage at Cannes in the sweet 'Leto' and the scathing 'Donbass'," 11 May 2018
Prudence, a dying virtue, suggests a wait-and-see attitude toward Mr. Trump’s reversal of the Iran deal.

— daniel henninger, WSJ, "It’s Trump’s Iran Deal Now," 9 May 2018
Different players have different body types, which is one of the great virtues of tennis.

— jon wertheim, SI.com, "Mailbag: Do We Frame Rafa's Clay Dominance Differently Because He's a Man?," 9 May 2018
When a 2016 transit study espoused the virtues of bus-only lanes in Everett, that was enough for Mayor Carlo DeMaria to get on board.

— shirley leung, BostonGlobe.com, "5 things we can do to fix Seaport District traffic," 9 May 2018
And, most importantly for our purposes here—who can doubt the virtue of a gorgeously modest, modestly gorgeous frock?

— alexandra gurvitch, Vogue, "These Gorgeous Modest Evening Looks Are Modern, Not Mousy," 3 May 2018
Celebrating the virtues of equality while ignoring the consequences of inequity has always been the American way.

— jay willis, GQ, "Owning a Gun in America Is a Luxury," 30 Apr. 2018
Some professional investors make a virtue of incessant trading, with a holding period for shares of milliseconds rather than years.

— The Economist, "Technology can tackle investors’ flaws," 26 Apr. 2018
But there is little love to be found for the bland, virtue-signaling style of a Smart car.

— andrew moseman, Popular Mechanics, "All Glory to the Renault Twizy, the Greatest Electric Car in the World*," 19 Apr. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'virtue.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of virtue

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

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 13th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1a

See Words from the same year

virtue Synonyms

VIRTUE Defined for English Language Learners

virtue

noun

Definition of virtue for English Language Learners

: morally good behavior or character
: a good and moral quality
: the good result that comes from something

VIRTUE Defined for Kids

virtue

noun vir·tue \ ˈvər-chü \

Definition of virtue for Students

1 : morally good behavior or character

We were urged to lead lives of virtue.

2 : a good, moral, or desirable quality

Patience is a virtue.

3 : the good result that comes from something

I learned the virtue of hard work.

— by virtue of

: because of : through the force of

She succeeded by virtue of persistence.

History for virtue

From the Latin word vir, meaning “man,” the Romans formed the word virtus to describe such so-called “manly” qualities as firmness of purpose and courage. Gradually this word was used for any good qualities in males or females. The English word virtue came by way of French from Latin virtus.