vertueux

virtuous, righteous

adjective vehr-TWUH Rare

Origin: Latin virtuosus

Usage Note

vertueux (feminine vertueuse) describes a person or act guided by strong moral principles. It can carry a slightly ironic tone in modern usage, suggesting self-righteous piety. The noun is vertu ('virtue'); faire de nécessité vertu means 'to make a virtue of necessity'.

Examples

"Il menait une vie vertueuse et simple."

Natural Translation

He led a virtuous and simple life.

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