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📕 rednote ID(小红书号)：3881567312

Moral: Definition, Usage & Common Examples (2 meaning)

Meaning 1：ethical (moral)

moral 🔊

/ˈmɒrəl/

adj./n.

Related to what is right or wrong in a person‘s behavior, based on common ideas of goodness.

Illustration of a moral dilemma: person choosing between a helping hand and money at a crossroads.

ethical 🔊

➕

/ˈeθ.ɪ.kəl/

adj./n.

Describes principles, decisions, or actions that are concerned with the distinction between right and wrong according to common societal standards of good behavior.

📁 Category：Behaviors & Actions 🔖 Level：Intermediate

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

From Latin 'moralis', related to 'mos' (custom, character). Means 'pertaining to character or proper behavior'.

💡 Mnemonic

A MORAL compass points you towards good MORES (customs) and right behavior.

📖 Example

Choosing to return the lost wallet was a moral decision that made her feel proud of herself. 🔊 Choosing to return the lost wallet was an ethical decision that made her feel proud of herself.

🔗 Collocations

moral duty – an obligation based on ethical principles rather than law

moral support – encouragement that gives someone confidence

moral compass – an internal sense of right and wrong that guides behavior

🔄 Synonyms

ethical (adj.) – involving or expressing moral approval or disapproval; conforming to accepted professional standards of conduct

principled (adj.) – acting in accordance with a strong moral code and firm beliefs

virtuous (adj.) – having or showing high moral standards

🚫 Antonyms

immoral (adj.) – not conforming to accepted standards of morality; wicked

unethical (adj.) – not morally correct; violating professional or moral standards

🌱 Derivatives

morally (adv.) – in a way that relates to principles of right and wrong

morality (n.) – principles concerning the distinction between right and wrong or good and bad behavior

📖 Cultural Story

The word 'moral' entered English in the 14th century via Old French from the Latin 'moralis', coined by Cicero to translate the Greek 'ethikos'. It fundamentally relates to the customs ('mores') and character of a person or society.

Meaning 2：ethics (moral)

moral 🔊

/ˈmɒrəl/

adj./n.

(often plural ‘morals‘) The standards of good behavior and beliefs about right and wrong that a person or society follows.

ethics 🔊

➕

/ˈeθ.ɪks/

adj./n.

Refers to the specific standards, principles, or lessons about right and wrong that guide an individual's or a group's behavior and judgment.

📁 Category：Behaviors & Actions 🔖 Level：Intermediate

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Example

Her strong morals would never allow her to cheat on an exam, even if everyone else did. 🔊 Her strong ethics would never allow her to cheat on an exam, even if everyone else did.

🔗 Collocations

high morals – strong principles of good behavior

public morals – the standards of behavior expected by society

a question of morals – an issue involving ethical judgment

🔄 Synonyms

ethics (n.) – moral principles that govern a person's behavior or the conducting of an activity

principles (n.) – a fundamental truth or proposition that serves as the foundation for a system of belief or behavior

values (n.) – a person's or society's standards of behavior; one's judgment of what is important in life

🚫 Antonyms

corruption (n.) – dishonest or fraudulent conduct by those in power, typically involving moral deterioration

🌱 Derivatives

moralistic (adj.) – overfond of making moral judgments about others' behavior; didactic