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📕 rednote ID(小红书号)：3881567312

Virtue: Definition, Usage & Common Phrases (2 meaning)

Meaning 1：moral excellence (virtue)

virtue 🔊

/ˈvɜːrtʃuː/

a good quality or habit that makes someone a better person, like being honest or kind.

Virtue illustrated by a volunteer showing kindness and compassion to an elderly person.

moral excellence 🔊

➕

/ˌmɔːrəl ˈeksələns/

A trait or quality that is considered morally good or desirable in a person's character, such as honesty, courage, or kindness.

📁 Category：Social Roles, Behaviors & Actions 🔖 Level：Beginner

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

From Latin 'virtus' (manliness, excellence), from 'vir' (man).

💡 Mnemonic

Think: A person of 'virtue' is 'truly U' — your authentic, best self.

📖 Example

Her greatest virtue is her kindness; she always finds time to listen and help others. 🔊 Her greatest moral excellence is her kindness; she always finds time to listen and help others.

🔗 Collocations

by virtue of – because of or as a result of something

cardinal virtue – one of the four primary moral virtues (prudence, justice, fortitude, temperance)

virtue signalling – the public expression of opinions to demonstrate good character

🔄 Synonyms

goodness (n.) – The quality of being morally good or virtuous.

integrity (n.) – The quality of being honest and having strong moral principles.

rectitude (n.) – Formal correctness of behavior or moral integrity.

🚫 Antonyms

vice (n.) – Immoral or wicked behavior.

wickedness (n.) – The quality of being evil or morally wrong.

immorality (n.) – The state or quality of being immoral; wickedness.

🌱 Derivatives

virtuous (adj.) – Having or showing high moral standards.

virtuously (adv.) – In a way that shows high moral standards.

📖 Cultural Story

The word traces back to Latin 'virtus', denoting masculine strength and moral excellence. In medieval Christian thought, it became a core concept for cardinal and theological virtues. The Renaissance revived classical discussions, leading to its modern sense of inherent goodness and admirable qualities.

Meaning 2：advantage (virtue)

virtue 🔊

/ˈvɜːrtʃuː/

an advantage or useful quality of something.

advantage 🔊

➕

/ədˈvæntɪdʒ/

A useful or desirable quality or feature of an object, system, or concept.

📁 Category：Objects & Materials 🔖 Level：Intermediate

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Example

One virtue of this electric car is its low running cost and environmental friendliness. 🔊 One advantage of this electric car is its low running cost and environmental friendliness.

🔗 Collocations

have the virtue of – to possess the advantage or positive quality of

practical virtue – a useful or functional advantage

primary virtue – the main or most important advantage

🔄 Synonyms

merit (n.) – The quality of being particularly good or worthy, especially so as to deserve praise or reward.

strength (n.) – A good or beneficial quality or attribute of a person or thing.

asset (n.) – A useful or valuable thing, person, or quality.

🚫 Antonyms

drawback (n.) – A feature that renders something less acceptable; a disadvantage.

flaw (n.) – A mark, fault, or other imperfection that mars a substance or object.

disadvantage (n.) – An unfavorable circumstance or condition that reduces the chances of success.