virtuous

[ vur-choo-uhs ]

adjective

1. conforming to moral and ethical principles; morally excellent; upright:

   Lead a virtuous life.

2. chaste:

   a virtuous young person.

virtuous

/ ˈvɜːtʃʊəs /

adjective

1. characterized by or possessing virtue or moral excellence; righteous; upright
2. (of women) chaste or virginal

Derived Forms

• ˈvirtuousness, noun
• ˈvirtuously, adverb

Other Words From

• virtu·ous·ly adverb
• virtu·ous·ness noun
• non·virtu·ous adjective
• non·virtu·ous·ly adverb
• non·virtu·ous·ness noun
• quasi-virtu·ous adjective
• quasi-virtu·ous·ly adverb
• un·virtu·ous adjective
• un·virtu·ous·ly adverb
• un·virtu·ous·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of virtuous¹

First recorded in 1300–50; alteration (with i from Latin ) of Middle English vertuous, from Anglo-French, from Late Latin virtuōsus, equivalent to Latin virtu(s) virtue + -ōsus -ous

Example Sentences

“And if they just say ‘Trump bad, Democrats virtuous,’ they’re going to keep losing.”

From Los Angeles Times

When Obama proposed increasing taxes on the richest Americans, Republicans decried his plans as "class warfare" against virtuous high-earners, although that argument didn't seem to pay off and was soon abandoned.

From Salon

After launching in 1998, the Disney cruise line has capitalized on the company’s virtuous cycle strategy of having parks and experiences fuel interest in its movies and TV shows, and vice versa.

From Los Angeles Times

Elba believes with the right momentum and involvement of governments willing to create an enabling environment, a virtuous circle can be established.

From BBC

In short, bureaucracies are a tool, neither inherently good or evil but only as effective and virtuous as the bureaucrats who run them — and, of course, the politicians who operate over the bureaucrats.

From Salon

Related Words

• honest
• honorable
• noble
• principled
• righteous
• wholesome