Righteous
/ˈraɪtʃəs/
adjectiveB2
Definition
Righteous means behaving in a way that is morally correct and fair to others. It often describes people who do what is right and honest, following moral laws or rules. It can also describe actions or feelings that are just and good.
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See It in Action
Morally good or just person or behavior
- •She is a righteous person who always helps others.
- •His righteous anger was because he saw injustice.
- •They acted in a righteous way by standing up for what is fair.
Feeling or showing strong moral approval
- •He gave a righteous speech about equality.
- •The community felt righteous pride after the peaceful protest.
Make It Stick
- ✓Think of "righteous" like "good" (A1 word), but stronger because it means being fair and moral, not just nice
- ✓Picture a person standing tall, helping others, and always choosing to do the right thing even when it is hard
- ✓It's the feeling you get when you know you did something honest or fair, like telling the truth or helping someone in need
- ✓Sounds like "RIGHT-us" → imagine someone always choosing the "right" path or "right" answer in life
- ✓Think of a superhero who always fights for justice and fairness, never doing wrong
- ✓NOT like "nice" (which can be simple kindness), "righteous" means following strong moral rules or beliefs
- ✓NOT like "perfect" (no mistakes), "righteous" means trying hard to be morally good, even if not always perfect
- ✓NOT like "lawful" (just following laws), "righteous" includes a strong sense of personal morality and fairness
Try Other Words
- •Just: fair and morally right (Use when focusing on fairness and lawfulness)
- •Moral: following rules about right and wrong (Use when emphasizing ethical principles)
- •Virtuous: showing high moral standards (Use when emphasizing personal character and purity)
Unboxing
- •Prefix/root/suffix: "right" (correct, fair) + suffix "-ous" (full of or having the quality of)
- •Etymology: From Old English "rihtwīs," meaning "having the quality of being right or just"
- •Historical development: Has been used since early English to describe people or actions that are morally correct
- •Modern usage: Used to describe moral goodness in religion, ethics, and everyday life; also used to express strong approval or anger for justice
Reflect & Connect
•Can someone be righteous without following rules from a religion or law? How?
•How does feeling righteous influence the way people act in difficult situations?
Fill in the blanks
1.She felt righteous ___ standing up for her friend who was treated unfairly.
2.A righteous person usually tries to do what is ___ and fair, even when it is hard.
3.His ___ anger showed he cared deeply about justice.
4.Unlike simple kindness, righteous behavior is based on strong ___ beliefs.
5.People often feel righteous ___ when they speak out against unfairness.
6.Being righteous means trying to do what is right, not just what is ___.
7.When someone acts righteous, they often follow their own ___ sense of morality.