Meaning & use
virtues
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“virtues” is a form of “virtue”. See that entry for the full set of meanings.
Meanings
nounplural
Qualities of character, such as honesty, courage or kindness, that people regard as morally good.
Grammar: Plural form; the singular virtue names one quality: courage is a virtue.
Patterns
- the virtues of something
- cardinal virtues
Patience and generosity were the virtues her grandmother valued most.
The speech praised the old-fashioned virtues of hard work and thrift.
Parents often hope to teach their children the virtues of honesty and respect.
nounplural
The good points or advantages of something, the reasons it is worth choosing.
Grammar: Usually followed by of: the virtues of a simple diet.
Patterns
- the virtues of something
- extol the virtues of something
The brochure listed the virtues of living close to the train station.
She spent the evening extolling the virtues of her new electric bike.
Whatever its other faults, the plan has the virtues of being cheap and fast.
Common combinations
- cardinal virtues
- Prudence, justice, courage and temperance are the cardinal virtues of classical philosophy.
- extol the virtues of
- He never tires of extolling the virtues of cold showers.
- moral virtues
- The school aims to develop moral virtues alongside academic skills.
- Christian virtues
- Charity is counted among the Christian virtues.
- the virtues of patience
- Waiting for the right offer taught him the virtues of patience.
Synonyms and how they differ
- merits
- Merits are the good points of a plan or case being judged, and are less tied to moral character than virtues.
- strengths
- Strengths are useful abilities or advantages and carry no moral judgment, unlike virtues.
- qualities
- Qualities is neutral and can be good or bad, so it needs an adjective, while virtues are always good.
- advantages
- Advantages stress practical benefits over alternatives, whereas virtues can be moral or practical.
Opposites
Word family
Commonly confused: virtues or virtuous?
virtues vs virtuous
Virtuous is the adjective describing a person or act. Virtues is the noun for the qualities themselves.
Practice
At the meeting, our manager kept talking about the ____ of flexible working hours.
Choose one answer.
The virtues of something are its good points. Vices are the opposite, and virtuosos are highly skilled performers.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “virtues”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.