virtue

noun vir·tue \ ˈvər-(ˌ)chü \

|Updated on: 6 Aug 2018

Examples: virtue in a Sentence

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

Privacy - Terms Attention to detail was one virtue that attracted the Mint’s board of directors to Herman.

— lawrence toppman, charlotteobserver, "Mint Museum names new president and CEO," 12 July 2018
The final message is that virtue and vice are entwined; unlike spaghetti Westerns, the play has no straightforward goodies or baddies.

— The Economist, "On stage, the saga of the Lehman brothers is a parable of America," 12 July 2018
Honesty that asks no sacrifice lacks truth, honesty at someone else’s expense lacks virtue.

— josie duffy rice, The Atlantic, "The Gospel According to Pusha T," 12 July 2018
Perhaps the best example ever of these twin virtues—luck and listening—celebrates its tenth anniversary this week.

— aaron pressman, Fortune, "Data Sheet—Celebrating Apple's Lucrative Switcheroo," 11 July 2018
Surely his Secretary of Labor, R. Alexander Acosta — a native of Miami, the son of Cuban refugees and former dean of the FIU College of Law — can fill Trump in on the virtues and viability of hiring local.

— fabiola santiago, miamiherald, "'America First?' Not when it comes to hiring foreign workers for Trump's Mar-a-Lago," 10 July 2018
Beyond the Supreme Court’s marbled walls, those virtues are rarely seen by the public.

— The Christian Science Monitor, "A big question for Trump’s Supreme Court nominee," 10 July 2018
Joanna would retain ultimate power throughout her lifetime, and her children would, through virtue of being raised in her court, be Neapolitan enough to rule Naples.

— anne thériault, Longreads, "Queens of Infamy: Joanna of Naples," 3 July 2018
There’s no clock in tennis, which is one of the sport’s great virtues.

— jon wertheim, SI.com, "Five Thoughts From Day One of Wimbledon," 2 July 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

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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.