What does virtuous mean?
Virtuous is an adjective describing a person who is morally good, upright, and guided by strong ethical principles. It is often used in formal contexts when praising integrity, honesty, selflessness, or behavior that meets a high moral standard. The word has a commendatory tone and commonly appears in expressions such as a virtuous person, virtuous behaviour, and a virtuous life. In older writing, virtuous could also mean chaste or sexually pure, especially when applied to women; that sense is now largely archaic, though it remains familiar from literature and historical texts. The adjective comes from Latin virtus, meaning excellence or moral worth, and is related to virtue, virtual, and virtuoso. Virtuous is therefore more than a general word for good behavior: it suggests a settled and publicly admirable character, while remaining distinct from terms such as legal, moral, or compliant, which may describe only particular aspects of conduct.
adjectiveMorally good and upright; behaving according to high moral standards. In older usage, it can also refer especially to sexual purity or chastity.
- Morally good, upright, and behaving according to high moral standards
- Having or displaying the qualities traditionally regarded as virtuous, especially chastity or sexual purity (chiefly archaic or old-fashioned)
"Her patient and selfless leadership made her a widely respected and virtuous public figure."
"The committee praised the candidate for her virtuous conduct throughout the investigation."
"In older novels, a virtuous young woman is often presented as modest, dutiful, and sexually pure."
Virtuous traces its roots in Latin virtus, the same source as virtue and the Italian term virtuoso, meaning a person of exceptional skill.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does virtuous come from?
Virtuous derives from Latin virtuosus, meaning virtuous, morally excellent, or worthy, which was formed from virtus, “virtue, excellence, or moral worth.” The English word entered use in the early 17th century, initially with an emphasis on moral excellence and later retaining an older association with sexual purity. Related English words include virtue, virtual, virtuoso, and virtuosity, all of which ultimately reflect the same Latin root.
Related word forms
How virtuous is actually used
Virtuous is formal and strongly commendatory, emphasizing moral integrity and good conduct. Its older use as a euphemism for chastity or sexual purity is now dated, though it remains common in historical or literary contexts.
Easily confused with virtuous
Virtuous means morally good and upright, whereas vicious means cruel, violent, or morally bad.