virtue
gb/vˈɚt͡ʃu/ us/vˈɚt͡ʃu/
B2
English
~ 3000
erény, erkölcsösség, előny, szüzesség, tisztaság
NOUN
B2
1
erény
B2
erkölcsösség
C1
Usage pattern:
[someone] has the virtue of [something]
Honesty is considered a key virtue in many cultures.
Az őszinteséget sok kultúrában alapvető erénynek tartják.
She is respected for her virtue and kindness.
Erkölcsössége és kedvessége miatt tisztelik.
Patience is a virtue that not everyone possesses.
His decision showed great courage and virtue.
They admired her virtue in standing up for what was right.
Learner examples
Honesty is a virtue.
Az őszinteség erény.
She has the virtue of kindness.
Erényei közé tartozik a kedvesség.
Patience is a virtue.
He showed virtue when he told the truth.
Virtue is important in a leader.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'virtue' with 'value'. A value is a belief about what is important; a virtue is a moral quality or good behavior.
Meaning
high moral standards
Collocations
moral virtue
|cardinal virtue
|great virtue
|virtue of honesty
|live by virtue
Synonyms
morality (Focuses on the system or principles of right and wrong rather than a person's quality.)
|
integrity (Stresses honesty and strong moral principles.)
Antonyms
vice (Refers to immoral or wicked behavior, the direct opposite of virtue.)
Themes
ethics
|character
|values
|religion
|relationships
|core_vocabulary
Definition
The quality of being a very good and honest person.
The quality of having high moral standards and acting in a morally good way.
NOUN
B2
2
Usage pattern:
the virtue of [something]
The plan has the virtue of being simple and easy to follow.
A tervnek az az előnye, hogy egyszerű és könnyen követhető.
One virtue of this car is its fuel efficiency.
Ennek az autónak az egyik előnye az alacsony fogyasztása.
Her argument had the virtue of clarity.
The house's main virtue is its location near the park.
Learner examples
This phone has the virtue of low price.
Ennek a telefonnak az az előnye, hogy alacsony az ára.
The plan has the virtue of being easy.
A tervnek az az előnye, hogy egyszerű.
The book has the virtue of clear language.
The dress has the virtue of comfort.
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse 'virtue' here with moral goodness; in this sense, it means an advantage, not moral behavior.
Meaning
beneficial quality or advantage
Collocations
by virtue of
|virtue of simplicity
|virtue of design
Synonyms
benefit (General term for something that helps or is good.)
|
asset (Suggests a valuable or useful quality or thing.)
Antonyms
drawback (Refers to a disadvantage or negative aspect.)
Themes
evaluation
|quality
|core_vocabulary
Definition
A good feature that makes something better.
A good or useful quality that something has.
NOUN
C1
FORMAL
3
In the past, a woman's virtue was highly valued by society.
Régen a társadalom nagyra értékelte a nők szüzességét.
He claimed he wanted to protect her virtue.
Azt állította, hogy a nő szüzességét akarja megóvni.
The novel tells the story of a young woman defending her virtue.
Learner examples
In the past, people cared about a woman's virtue.
Régen az emberek fontosnak tartották a nők szüzességét.
He wanted to protect her virtue.
Meg akarta óvni a nő szüzességét.
She was proud of her virtue.
Common mistake:
Learners may not realize this meaning is old-fashioned and often only used in historical or literary contexts.
Meaning
sexual purity or chastity
Collocations
protect her virtue
|lose one's virtue
Synonyms
chastity (Direct synonym focusing on refraining from sexual activity.)
Antonyms
promiscuity (Engaging in many sexual relationships without commitment.)
Themes
relationships
|social norms
|religion
|core_vocabulary
Definition
Not having had sexual experience, especially for women in old-fashioned ideas.
The state of having no sexual experience, traditionally applied to women.
Grammar
Dictionary form
virtue
IPA
GB/vˈɚt͡ʃu/
US/vˈɚt͡ʃu/
Syllables & stress
vir - tue (2 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (vir)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: virtue
- Plural: virtue, virtues
Word family
Forms
virtues
noun
Core family
virtuous
adjective B2
Related words
virtuously
adverb
virtuousness
noun
Negative and opposite forms
vice
noun B2
unvirtuous
adjective
Advanced or less common
virtuoso
noun C1
virtuosity
noun C1
Expressions
by virtue of
1/bˈaɪ vˈɚt͡ʃu əv/
fixed phrase
formal
because of something
Because of something or as a result of it.
Examples
- She got the job by virtue of her experience.
- By virtue of his position, he had access to confidential information.
patience is a virtue
1/pˈeɪʃəns ˈɪz ə vˈɚt͡ʃu/
idiom
patience is an important quality
It is good and important to be patient.
Examples
- I know you're eager to leave, but patience is a virtue.
- He waited quietly, remembering that patience is a virtue.