Vice
/vaɪs/
Definitions
3 meaningsImmoral or wicked behavior; a bad habit; a fault.
/vaɪs/
Moral weakness or bad habit
Smoking is a common vice that many people struggle to quit.
💡 Simply: A *vice* is a bad habit or something you do that's not good for you. Like, if you can't stop eating cookies even though your tummy hurts, that could be considered a vice!
👶 For kids: A *vice* is like a bad thing you like to do, like eating too much candy.
More Examples
His gambling vice led him into debt.
She admitted her weakness for the vice of procrastination.
How It's Used
"He struggled to overcome his vices."
"Gluttony and greed are often considered vices."
A metal tool with jaws for holding an object firmly in place, typically used by a machinist or a carpenter.
/vaɪs/
A type of clamp
The carpenter used a vice to secure the wood.
💡 Simply: Imagine you're building something. A *vice* is like a strong hug for your project – it holds things steady while you work on them.
👶 For kids: A *vice* is like a strong hug for things. It holds them tight!
More Examples
The metal worker clamped the pipe in the vice.
Be sure to tighten the vice before you start sawing.
How It's Used
"The machinist secured the metal bar in the vice."
"Use the vice to hold the wood steady while you saw."
A person who is second in command, or who takes the place of the chief officer.
/vaɪs/
The second-in-command
The vice-president is ready to step in if the president is unable to work.
💡 Simply: A *vice* is like the backup person. If the main person (like the president) can't do their job, the *vice* steps in.
👶 For kids: The *vice* is the helper person. If the boss is away, the *vice* does the job!
More Examples
She was promoted to vice-president of marketing.
The vice-chancellor addressed the students during the ceremony.
How It's Used
"The vice president took over when the president was ill."
"The vice-president assisted the president during international summits."
Synonyms
Idioms & expressions
in the vice of
Under the control or influence of something negative.
"The city was in the vice of crime."
From Old French *vice* (fault, defect), from Latin *vitium* (fault, defect, blemish).
The word 'vice' has been used since the 13th century to describe moral failings.
Memory tip
Think of someone with ice in their veins – that's a cold, bad habit: a *vice*.