# vice

/ˈvaɪs/ (US)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/vice
Updated: 2026-08-15

## Senses

### 1. a bad habit

noun · CEFR B2

a bad habit or a behavior that is considered immoral, like smoking or gambling.

For teachers: a moral fault or a habitual practice considered to be a character flaw or socially harmful.

- Chocolate is my only vice, but I try not to eat it every day.
- The philosopher argued that every virtue, when taken to an extreme, could eventually transform into a destructive vice.

### 2. illegal activities

noun · CEFR C1 · Technical

crimes involving things like drugs, gambling, or prostitution.

For teachers: criminal activities involving immoral behavior, often specifically those managed by a dedicated police department.

- The city police have a special unit to fight vice and organized crime.
- The mayor promised to crack down on vice in the downtown district, targeting illegal gambling dens and unlicensed clubs.

### 3. a clamping tool

noun · CEFR B2 · British English

a metal tool with two parts that you screw together to hold an object firmly while you work on it.

For teachers: a mechanical apparatus used to secure an object while work is performed on it. Often spelled 'vise' in American English.

- He held the wooden board in a vice so he could saw it straight.
- The carpenter tightened the vice until the joint was perfectly aligned, ensuring the glue would set without any movement.

Usage: Commonly spelled 'vise' in the United States.

### 4. in place of

preposition · CEFR C2 · Formal

a formal way to say 'instead of' or 'replacing'.

For teachers: used to indicate that one person or thing is taking the place of another.

- Mr. Smith was appointed chairman vice Mr. Jones, who retired last month.
- The board announced that Sarah Jenkins would be appointed as the lead counsel vice Robert Miller, effective immediately.

### 5. second in rank

adjective · CEFR B1

describing someone who is next in rank below a leader and can act for them.

For teachers: designating a person who acts in the place of a superior or is second in command.

- The vice president took over the meeting because the president was sick.
- The vice-chancellor of the university is responsible for the day-to-day administrative operations of the institution.

Usage: Usually used as a prefix in titles like 'vice president' or 'vice-chair'.

## Examples

- My only vice is eating too much chocolate.
- The city established a special police unit to investigate crimes related to vice and illegal gambling.
- The protagonist's tragic downfall was not caused by a single grand mistake, but by a collection of small vices that slowly eroded his professional reputation.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.