ENGLISH
REFERENCE

virtuous

adj.
C1 Advanced US //ˈvɝtʃuəs// UK //vˈɜːtʃuːəs// vir·tu·ous

adj. having or showing very high moral standards. You use this to describe someone who always tries to do the right thing and avoid bad behavior.

adj. conforming to high moral standards; exhibiting righteousness or excellence in character. Often used to describe individuals who adhere strictly to ethical principles.


SIMPLE

She led a virtuous life dedicated to helping others.

CONTEXTUAL

The politician tried to maintain a virtuous image to win the trust of the conservative voters.

COMPLEX

In classical philosophy, a virtuous person is one who finds the perfect balance between extremes, acting with courage and temperance in every situation.

Synonyms
Antonyms
Origin

From Middle English vertuous, borrowed from Anglo-Norman vertuous, vertous, ultimately from Late Latin virtuōsus, from Latin virtūs. By surface analysis, virtue + -ous. Doublet of virtuoso and piecewise doublet of virtùous.

Usage

Typically used as an attributive adjective before a noun or predicatively after a linking verb like 'be' or 'seem'.

Idioms1 entry

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