C1noun3K

Vice

UK /["/vaɪs/"]/US /["/vaɪs/"]/

Definition

criminal activities that involve sex or drugs

In simple words: A bad habit or immoral action.

Examples

  • At the door were two plain-clothes detectives from the vice squad.
  • The bright 21-year-old turned to a secret life of vice after getting bored with her studies at college.
  • The film ended most satisfactorily: vice punished and virtue rewarded.
  • Greed is a terrible vice.
  • Chocolate brownies are my only vice.
  • He used his inheritance to indulge his vices of drinking and gambling.
  • Of his many vices, his cruelty was the worst.
  • She often spends a fortune on clothes—it's her greatest vice.
  • The occasional cigar is my only vice.
  • He held my arm in a **vice-like** *(= very firm)* **grip**.

Usage notes

Used to describe negative behaviors like smoking or gambling. Often used in societal contexts, discussing personal faults or societal issues. Not usually used in formal scenarios.

Grammar pattern

standalone noun

Memory hint

Think of 'vice' as 'bad spice' – it's something that makes life less sweet.

Collocations

  • secret
  • have
  • indulge
  • indulge in
  • secret
  • have
  • indulge
  • indulge in

Synonyms

  • sin
  • transgression
  • immorality
  • wrongdoing
  • depravity

Antonyms

  • virtue
  • goodness
  • honor

Common mistakes

  • Confused with 'vice versa' which has a different meaning.
  • Using it as a verb; 'vice' is only a noun.