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Synonyms

cardinal virtue

American  

noun

  1. anything considered to be an important or characteristic virtue.

    Tenacity is his cardinal virtue.

  2. Ancient Philosophy. cardinal virtues, justice, prudence, temperance, and fortitude.

Etymology

Origin of cardinal virtue

Middle English word dating back to 1300–50

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

"I heard that forgiveness is a cardinal virtue for Hindus," I said.

From Salon • Jan. 3, 2021

Doubt is a cardinal virtue in the sciences, which advance through skeptics’ willingness to question the experts.

From Washington Post • Dec. 16, 2020

Truth was the cardinal virtue of Zoroastrianism, with lying being synonymous with evil.

From Textbooks • Jan. 1, 2020

Variety is its cardinal virtue, seasoned with the element of surprise.

From New York Times • Aug. 21, 2014

But the more I doubted in the honesty of men, the more did I believe that honesty should be the cardinal virtue of the soul.

From The Book of Khalid by Rihani, Ameen Fares

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.