rectitude
REK-tih-tyood
/ˈrɛktɪtjuːd/
Morally correct behavior or thinking; righteousness.
Rectitude is a very formal, almost old-fashioned word that emphasizes the 'straightness' of one's moral path.
The story behind the word. From the Latin 'rectus', meaning 'straight'. It’s the same root that gives us 'rectangle' (straight angles) and 'rectify' (to make straight).
Word relationships
- righteousness: Righteousness often has a religious connotation, while rectitude is more about moral 'straightness'.
- depravity: Moral corruption or wickedness.
Commonly confused with
- integrity: Integrity is being 'whole'; rectitude is being 'straight'.
Word family
- rectify (verb): To make right or straight.
- correct (adjective): Right.
Collocations
- moral rectitude
- stern rectitude
- sense of rectitude
Example sentences
- "We, therefore... appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions..." Historical Document
- "He was a man of such stern rectitude that he refused even the smallest gifts from clients." Character Description
Memory hook
Think of a 'Ruler'. It is straight (rectus). Rectitude is living your life by a straight ruler. The straight and narrow.
When not to use
Too formal for casual conversation; use 'honesty' or 'fairness' instead.
Fun facts
- The 'rectus' muscle in your eye is what allows you to look straight ahead.
Explore more words
propriety, principled, rectify, integrity, punctilious, virtue
Also appears in
Take your vocabulary further with LangBlitz
Our English vocabulary app: FSRS spaced repetition, 5,000+ curated words across 119 topic groups, CEFR A1 to C2. Explore your mastery with the beautiful Vocabulary World feature.