adj
righteous
RYT-shuhs
adj
1
Morally right or virtuous; acting justly.
"She lived a righteous life devoted to helping others."
2
Often used disapprovingly to describe someone who is self-righteously convinced of their own moral superiority.
"His righteous tone during the argument annoyed everyone."
How to Use Righteous
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishMorally good and just — though often used pointedly for someone acting a little too pleased with their own virtue.
Common mistake
Don't confuse with "righteous indignation," which specifically means justified anger, not general moral goodness.
Common pairings
righteous anger
righteous cause
self-righteous
Word Forms
more righteous comparative, righteoused past tense, righteouses singular, most righteous superlative
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She lived a _____ life devoted to helping others.
Etymology
From Old English rihtwīs, a blend of right and wise ("manner"), later reshaped to end in -eous like other moral adjectives.