vice
vys
Vice (noun) means an immoral or bad habit; a minor personal failing or indulgence. Example: “Chocolate is her one guilty vice.”
noun
1
An immoral or bad habit; a minor personal failing or indulgence.
"Chocolate is her one guilty vice."
"Gambling became his ruinous vice."
"My grandfather said his only vice was a second slice of cake every Sunday."
prep
1
In place of; instead of — used to indicate a substitute or successor.
"She was appointed treasurer vice the outgoing officer."
"Mr Patel was named chairman vice the retiring director at the end of the meeting."
"The club chose a new captain vice the player who had left the team."
How to use vice
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA bad habit or moral failing, or (in formal usage) a preposition meaning "instead of."
Common mistake
Don't confuse with the "vice-" prefix in titles like vice president, which is a different, unrelated use of the same Latin root.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
a minor vice
vices and virtues
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Word forms
- Plural
- vices
Fill the gap
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Chocolate is her one guilty _____.
Etymology
The "bad habit" sense comes from Latin vitium, "fault," while the "instead of" sense comes from Latin vice, the ablative form of vicis, "turn, change."
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for vice
See all rhymes for vice →Frequently asked questions
What does “vice” mean?
The word “vice” means an immoral or bad habit; a minor personal failing or indulgence. In plain terms, a bad habit or moral failing, or (in formal usage) a preposition meaning "instead of.".
How do you pronounce “vice”?
“Vice” is pronounced vys (/vaɪs/ in IPA).
How do you use “vice” in a sentence?
Here is “vice” used in a sentence: “Chocolate is her one guilty vice.”
What part of speech is “vice”?
Depending on how it is used, “vice” can be a noun and a preposition.
Where does the word “vice” come from?
The word “vice” comes from Latin. The "bad habit" sense comes from Latin vitium, "fault," while the "instead of" sense comes from Latin vice, the ablative form of vicis, "turn, change.".
Is “vice” a common word?
“Vice” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “vice” have?
“Vice” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: an immoral or bad habit; a minor personal failing or indulgence.
What is the difference between vice and virtue?
Vice and virtue are direct opposites. A virtue is a good moral quality or admirable habit, such as honesty or patience. A vice is the reverse, an immoral habit or personal weakness, such as greed or laziness. Traditionally, character is described as a balance between one's virtues and one's vices.
What is an example of a vice?
Vices range from serious moral failings to small indulgences. Classic examples include greed, envy, and dishonesty, while lighter ones include gambling, overeating, or a fondness for gossip. People often call a harmless treat their "guilty little vice," using the word playfully for a minor weakness rather than a genuine moral fault.
What is the difference between a vice and a sin?
A sin is a single wrongful act, especially one that breaks a religious or moral law. A vice is the ingrained habit or character flaw behind such acts, a settled tendency rather than one deed. Repeated sins can harden into a vice, but a vice describes the pattern, not the individual action.
Is a vice always serious?
Not always. At its strongest, a vice is a genuine moral failing like cruelty or greed. But the word is often used lightly for a minor indulgence or bad habit, such as a sweet tooth or too much coffee. Tone and context decide whether a vice is condemned or simply confessed with a smile.
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