virtue
noun
vir·tue
| \ ˈvər-(ˌ)chü
\
\
Definition of virtue
1a
: 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
by virtue of
or in virtue of
: through the force of : by authority of
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Other Words from virtue
virtueless
\ ˈvər-(ˌ)chü-ləs
\
adjective
\
adjective
Synonyms & Antonyms for virtue
Synonyms
cardinal virtue, distinction, excellence, excellency, grace, merit, value
Antonyms
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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
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Recent Examples on the Web
In the finals at Crescenta Valley Park, Burbank finished with 32 points by virtue of five top-11 efforts to win its first league crown since splitting it with Crescenta Valley and Arcadia in 2014. — Jeff Tully, Burbank Leader, "Cross-Country Preview: Burbank looks for repeat league-championship performance," 29 Aug. 2019 Last year, Vitti promised a long list of fixes to Hispanic families who felt excluded from their children’s schools by virtue of their language or nationality. — Koby Levin, Detroit Free Press, "Detroit superintendent's plan to protect students could get him in trouble," 29 Aug. 2019 The lack of concern in Protestant churches rests on the faulty logic that, by virtue of not having a celibate priesthood, Protestants are more protected than our Catholic friends. — Susan Codone, Twin Cities, "Susan Codone: Protestants must step up efforts to stop sexual abuse in churches," 28 Aug. 2019 By virtue of their sweep of the A’s last weekend, the Giants copped the trophy. — Gary Peterson, The Mercury News, "Giants reportedly laugh at Bay Bridge Trophy after winning it with sweep over Athletics," 27 Aug. 2019 The state Board of Education includes eight members elected by district and the governor by virtue of office. — Mike Cason | Mcason@al.com, al, "Alabama GOP opposes replacing elected state Board of Education," 24 Aug. 2019 Trump has operated at times like an Oval Office double agent -- a conservative by virtue of his rhetoric, but one whose actions tend to hurt his cause. — John Blake, CNN, "Trump is doing what Obama couldn't," 23 Aug. 2019 All high school stars are young just by virtue of being in high school. — Adam Lichtenstein, sun-sentinel.com, "Five top storylines to follow this season in Broward football," 23 Aug. 2019 To begin, there is no question that such a mission would revolutionize our understanding of the outer solar system, simply by virtue of voyaging there after three decades of further technological development and scientific discovery. — Shannon Hall, Scientific American, "The Solar System’s Loneliest Planets, Revisited," 22 Aug. 2019These 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.
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More Definitions for virtue
virtue
noun
English Language Learners Definition of virtue
: morally good behavior or character
: a good and moral quality
: the good result that comes from something
See the full definition for virtue in the English Language Learners Dictionary
virtue
noun
vir·tue
| \ ˈvər-chü
\
\
Kids Definition of virtue
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.
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