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

In other words, the free speech exhibited by the folks at Charlie Hebdo was not virtuous—until there was a body count.

From The Daily Beast

A May 2014 Slate article by Sam Kean details the tragic changes he suffered “from a virtuous foreman to a sociopathic drifter.”

From The Daily Beast

Some look at the Aspen museum and wonder whether Ban will be able to continue creating his humanitarian “virtuous” architecture.

From The Daily Beast

At times it can seem too proud of its virtuous noncommerciality; its slowness can seem shallow, its artiness willful.

From The Daily Beast

Guy-guitar-genius music isn't inherently evil; mass-produced pop isn't inherently virtuous.

From The Daily Beast

She was also supposed to be the original or model of “the Virtuous Woman” therein portrayed!

From Project Gutenberg

The virtuous statesman advanced to meet him, while his countenance proclaimed that he knew all, and sympathized with its victim.

From Project Gutenberg

Both of these readings appeal to the Solomonic portrait of the virtuous woman, in Proverbs xxxi.

From Project Gutenberg

A stone mason was employed to engrave the following epitaph on a tradesman's wife: "A virtuous woman is a crown to her husband."

From Project Gutenberg

For twenty years you hold an innocent and virtuous woman under an infamous suspicion.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

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