adj.
Pronunciation: ' r ī -ch ə s
Function: adjective
Etymology: alteration of earlier rightuous, alteration of Middle English rightwise, rightwos, from Old English rihtw ī s, from riht, noun, right + w ī s wise
Date: 1530
1 : acting in accord with divine or moral law : free from guilt or sin
2 a : morally right or justifiable <a righteous decision> b : arising from an outraged sense of justice or morality < righteous indignation>
3 slang : GENUINE , EXCELLENT
synonyms see MORAL
– righ · teous · ly adverb
– righ · teous · ness noun