virtue
gb/vˈɚt͡ʃu/ us/vˈɚt͡ʃu/
B2
English
~ 3000
Senses
0 senses
Noun
B2
entity
1
high moral standards
The quality of being a very good and honest person.
Usage pattern:
[someone] has the virtue of [something]
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.
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.)
Collocations
moral virtue
|cardinal virtue
|great virtue
|virtue of honesty
|live by virtue
Themes
ethics
|character
|values
|religion
|relationships
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- Honesty is considered a key virtue in many cultures.
- She is respected for her virtue and kindness.
- 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.
- She has the virtue of kindness.
- Patience is a virtue.
- He showed virtue when he told the truth.
- Virtue is important in a leader.
Noun
B2
entity
2
beneficial quality or advantage
A good feature that makes something better.
Usage pattern:
the virtue of [something]
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse 'virtue' here with moral goodness; in this sense, it means an advantage, not moral behavior.
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.)
Collocations
by virtue of
|virtue of simplicity
|virtue of design
Themes
evaluation
|quality
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The plan has the virtue of being simple and easy to follow.
- One virtue of this car is its fuel efficiency.
- 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.
- The plan has the virtue of being easy.
- The book has the virtue of clear language.
- The dress has the virtue of comfort.
Noun
formal
C1
entity
3
sexual purity or chastity
Not having had sexual experience, especially for women in old-fashioned ideas.
Common mistake:
Learners may not realize this meaning is old-fashioned and often only used in historical or literary contexts.
Synonyms
chastity (Direct synonym focusing on refraining from sexual activity.)
Antonyms
promiscuity (Engaging in many sexual relationships without commitment.)
Collocations
protect her virtue
|lose one's virtue
Themes
relationships
|social norms
|religion
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- In the past, a woman's virtue was highly valued by society.
- He claimed he wanted to protect her virtue.
- The novel tells the story of a young woman defending her virtue.
Learner examples
- In the past, people cared about a woman's virtue.
- He wanted to protect her virtue.
- She was proud of her virtue.
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.