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Middle English rightwisnes from Old English rihtwīsnes "justice".




righteousness (countable and uncountable, plural righteousnesses)

  1. (uncountable) The quality or state of being righteous; holiness; purity; uprightness; rectitude. Righteousness, as used in Scripture and theology, in which it chiefly occurs, is nearly equivalent to holiness, comprehending holy principles and affections of heart, and conformity of life to the divine law.
    • 1922, Ben Travers, chapter 4, in A Cuckoo in the Nest:
  2. (countable) A righteous act, or righteous quality.
    • Isaiah lxiv. 6.
      All our righteousnesses are as filthy rags.
  3. The act or conduct of one who is righteous.
    • Psalms cvi. 3.
      Blessed are they that keep judgment, and he that doeth rightness at all times.
  4. (theology) The state of being right with God; justification; the work of Christ, which is the ground justification.


