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Vice Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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vice

[vaɪs ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Noun

in politics

A moral or political principle that a person feels they must follow, regardless of the consequences or the majority opinion.

Synonyms

belief, conviction, creed.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
vice

Vice is used to describe immoral or wicked behavior. It often carries a negative connotation and refers to habits or practices that are considered harmful or sinful.

  • Gambling is often seen as a vice.
  • He struggled with his vices for years.
belief

Belief is used to describe the acceptance that something exists or is true, especially without proof. It can refer to religious faith or trust in any concept or idea.

  • Her belief in the goodness of people is unshakeable.
  • I have a strong belief that we will succeed.
conviction

Conviction is used to indicate a firmly held belief or firm opinion. It often implies a strong persuasion or assurance.

  • She spoke with conviction and persuaded many.
  • His conviction about the need for change was evident.
creed

Creed refers to a formal statement of religious beliefs or set of guiding principles. It's often used in the context of religious or philosophical doctrine.

  • They follow a Christian creed.
  • His personal creed values honesty and integrity.

Examples of usage

  • He resigned on a point of principle.
  • The party has abandoned any pretense of standing by its principles.
Context #2 | Noun

journalism

A newspaper or magazine that is regarded as being less serious or respectable than others.

Synonyms

gossip magazine, tabloid.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
vice

This term is generally used to describe a bad habit or immoral behavior. It has a negative connotation and often refers to personal weaknesses.

  • His biggest vice is smoking
  • Gambling can become a dangerous vice
tabloid

A tabloid is a newspaper or magazine that contains sensational stories and news, often focusing on celebrity gossip, accidents, and scandals. It can be either neutral or negative depending on the context.

  • The tabloid headline screamed about a new celebrity divorce
  • He doesn't believe the stories in tabloids because they often exaggerate the truth
gossip magazine

This phrase refers to a type of publication that focuses on the personal lives and scandals of celebrities. It usually has a negative connotation, suggesting sensationalism and lack of credibility.

  • She loves reading gossip magazines to keep up with celebrity news
  • The gossip magazine featured a scandalous story about the actor

Examples of usage

  • He wrote for a women's lifestyle magazine, a vice he's not proud of.
Context #3 | Verb

gambling

To engage in an activity that is considered immoral or harmful, especially gambling.

Synonyms

bet, gamble, wager.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
vice

Used to refer to a bad habit or an immoral behavior.

  • Smoking is considered a vice that many people struggle to quit.
  • His worst vice is that he never tells the truth.
gamble

Relates to taking high-risk actions, often with the potential for loss; can also mean to risk money in a game of chance.

  • Investing in that startup is a big gamble.
  • He likes to gamble in the casino on weekends.
bet

Refers to risking money on the outcome of an event; less formal than 'wager'.

  • I bet $10 that our team will win the match.
  • Do you want to make a bet on who will finish first?
wager

A more formal term for risking money on the outcome of an event or situation.

  • He placed a wager on the horse race.
  • She made a friendly wager with her friend about the election results.

Examples of usage

  • He viced away all his savings at the casino.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Cultural Impact

  • In literature, vice is often depicted as a challenge for characters, driving plotlines and moral lessons.
  • Movies frequently showcase vices, portraying them as elements of character development or as plot devices that lead to conflict.

Psychology

  • People often develop vices to cope with stress or emotional hardship, illustrating a link between behavior and mental health.
  • The concept of 'vice' can also relate to addiction, where individuals struggle with compulsive behaviors despite knowing the negative impacts.

Philosophy

  • Philosophers like Aristotle discussed 'vices' as contrary to virtue, a key concept in ethical studies exploring human behavior.
  • Modern thinkers continue to analyze vices in the context of morality, questioning the balance between personal choice and societal influence.

History

  • Throughout history, different cultures have recognized various vices, influencing laws and social practices.
  • In medieval times, vice was often linked to sin, leading to moral codes that shaped community behavior.

Origin of 'vice'

Main points about word origin

  • The word comes from the Latin 'vitium,' meaning flaw or defect, which hints at its negative connotation.
  • It first appeared in English around the 14th century, referring to moral faults or wickedness.

The word 'vice' has its origins in Latin, where it originally meant 'in place of' or 'in succession to'. Over time, the meaning evolved to include the concept of moral depravity or wickedness. In modern English, 'vice' can refer to a moral principle, a bad habit, or a position of authority. The term is commonly used in politics, journalism, and discussions of personal behavior.

Word Frequency Rank

At position #2,307, this word belongs to solid intermediate vocabulary. It's frequently used in both casual and formal contexts and is worth learning for better fluency.