rectitude

noun

rec·​ti·​tude ˈrek-tə-ˌtüd 

-ˌtyüd

1

: the quality or state of being straight

2

: moral integrity : righteousness

3

: the quality or state of being correct in judgment or procedure

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The Right Definition of Rectitude

Ready for some straight talk about rectitude? Righto! Rectitude is a formal word that comes from the Latin adjective rectus, which means both “right” and “straight,” and ultimately from the Latin verb regere, meaning “to lead straight.” Rectitude today typically refers to moral integrity—that is, to “straightness” or “rightness” of character. (An early use referred literally to a straight line, but that sense is now rare.) Rectus has a number of other descendants in English, including rectangle (a closed four-sided figure with four right angles), rectify (“to make right”), rectilinear (“moving in or forming a straight line”), and even rectus itself, a medical term for any one of several straight muscles in the body.

Synonyms

• character
• decency
• goodness
• honesty
• integrity
• morality
• probity
• righteousness
• rightness
• uprightness
• virtue
• virtuousness

Examples of rectitude in a Sentence

encouraged the graduates to go on to live lives of unimpeachable rectitude and integrity

has a finely honed sense of rectitude that keeps him from cheating on exams

Recent Examples on the Web

Civil War is unconvinced of many things: that journalism will save us, that democracy will endure, that the left or the right has any purchase on rectitude. —Taylor Antrim, Vogue, 29 Sep. 2024

Sheridan's Jamie has a quiet courage and sense of moral rectitude, which contrasts with Terry's more erratic approach to police work. —Maureen Lee Lenker, EW.com, 10 Sep. 2024

To establish internal discipline and moral rectitude, Yassin set up the Majd and selected Yahya Sinwar to help lead it. —David Remnick, The New Yorker, 3 Aug. 2024

And this has long presented a puzzle: How can people who prize moral rectitude and personal witness to Jesus so faithfully support the most secular president in American history, someone who seems by his behavior at best indifferent to Christianity? —Shadi Hamid, Washington Post, 17 June 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Middle French, from Late Latin rectitudo, from Latin rectus straight, right

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

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Kids Definition

rectitude

noun

rec·​ti·​tude ˈrek-tə-ˌt(y)üd 

1

: the quality or state of being straight

2

: moral honesty : righteousness