virtuous
conforming to moral and ethical principles; morally excellent; upright: Lead a virtuous life.
chaste: a virtuous young person.
Origin of virtuous
1Other words from virtuous
- 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
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use virtuous in a sentence
The story behind low costsSolar became cheap due to forces called learning curves and virtuous cycles, the article describes.
Solar power got cheap. So why aren’t we using it more? | Ula Chrobak | January 28, 2021 | Popular-ScienceYou don’t have to be a paid-up Freudian to grasp that if you try to suppress the worst, in a vainglorious attempt to engineer newer, better, and more virtuous versions of ourselves, what you repress will come back around.
Philip Guston’s art speaks to our present moment. We shouldn’t have to wait to see it. | Sebastian Smee | January 14, 2021 | Washington PostBeliefs get reinforced by political action, a virtuous cycle in which important demonstrations of democratic resilience boost faith in the system, in turn making citizens independently less likely to take actions that undermine it.
My favorite of all Shakespearian characters, Cordelia is honest and virtuous to a fault.
The cloud of impeachment hangs over the markets—even Bitcoin is sinking | Bernhard Warner | January 11, 2021 | FortuneIf these everyday experiences suddenly feel weirdly new, then the music is doing its simplest, most virtuous work.
Maybe go stare at a tree and listen to Anna von Hausswolff play the pipe organ | Chris Richards | November 12, 2020 | Washington Post
In other words, white athletes virtuously worked their tails off whereas black athletes simply coasted because they can.
How shall we, how can we virtuously bring up our motherless little sister?
The Daisy Chain | Charlotte YongeThe Corporation would virtuously disown him and leave him to face a ten-year rap in Penal Colony.
Insidekick | Jesse Franklin BoneShe was virtuously knitting on a white rag, which was to receive a bright red border and was destined to dust Uncle Philip's desk.
Maezli | Johanna SpyriShe doesn't like me at all, though I've been virtuously nice to her.
Jane Journeys On | Ruth Comfort MitchellMany daughters have done virtuously but I shall excel them all.
Jane Journeys On | Ruth Comfort Mitchell
British Dictionary definitions for virtuous
/ (ˈvɜːtʃʊəs) /
characterized by or possessing virtue or moral excellence; righteous; upright
(of women) chaste or virginal
Derived forms of virtuous
- virtuously, adverb
- virtuousness, noun
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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