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righteous

[ rahy-chuhs ]
/ ˈraɪ tʃəs /
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See synonyms for: righteous / righteouses / righteously on Thesaurus.com

adjective
characterized by uprightness or morality: a righteous observance of the law.
morally right or justifiable: righteous indignation.
acting in an upright, moral way; virtuous: a righteous and godly person.
Slang. absolutely genuine or wonderful: some righteous playing by a jazz great.
noun
the righteous, (used with a plural verb) righteous persons collectively.
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Origin of righteous

First recorded before 900; earlier rightwos, rightwis (remodeled with -ous), Middle English; Old English rihtwīs; see right, wise2

OTHER WORDS FROM righteous

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH righteous

right, righteous , rightful
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use righteous in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for righteous

righteous
/ (ˈraɪtʃəs) /

adjective
  1. characterized by, proceeding from, or in accordance with accepted standards of morality, justice, or uprightness; virtuousa righteous man
  2. (as collective noun; preceded by the)the righteous
morally justifiable or right, esp from one's own point of viewrighteous indignation

Derived forms of righteous

righteously, adverbrighteousness, noun

Word Origin for righteous

Old English rīhtwīs, from right + wise ²
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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