ethos

[ ee-thos, ee-thohs, eth-os, -ohs ]

noun

1. Sociology. the fundamental character or spirit of a culture; the underlying sentiment that informs the beliefs, customs, or practices of a group or society; dominant assumptions of a people or period:

   In the Greek ethos the individual was highly valued.

2. the character or disposition of a community, group, person, etc.
3. the moral element in dramatic literature that determines a character's action rather than their thought or emotion.

ethos

/ ˈiːθɒs /

noun

1. the distinctive character, spirit, and attitudes of a people, culture, era, etc

   the revolutionary ethos

Word History and Origins

Origin of ethos¹

First recorded in 1850–55; from Latin ēthos “character, portrayal of character,” from Greek êthos “custom, habit, disposition character”

Word History and Origins

Origin of ethos¹

C19: from Late Latin: habit, from Greek

Example Sentences

It’s the ethos that is the foundation for the “making America great again” mindset.

From Salon

Mr. Trump’s corruption and lawlessness go beyond elections: It’s his whole ethos.

From Salon

The man who campaigned in 2016 on not just killing “terrorists” but their families took that ethos to the presidency.

From Salon

That radical change in perceptual empowerment speaks volumes about conflicting forces in the era’s cultural ethos.

From Los Angeles Times

Earlier this year, that ethos was apparent in a viral moment with reliever Yohan Ramirez, whom Roberts went to the mound and hugged in the middle of a rough outing in Cincinnati.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• ideology
• mentality
• mindset
• spirit

More About Ethos

What does ethos mean?

The ethos of a culture or society is its collective spirit or character—the fundamental or underlying beliefs and attitudes that influence its customs and practices.

Things sometimes said to have an ethos include countries (the American ethos of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness), cultures and subcultures (the punk ethos), and eras in time (the counterculture ethos of the ’60s).

The word can also refer collectively to such beliefs and attitudes in a person.

The term ethos is also used as the name of a particular method of persuasion in which a person relies on their credibility or character when making an appeal or an argument. In this context, it is often discussed alongside logos (an appeal to logic) and pathos (an appeal to emotion).

Example: Our company ethos is based on creating a space where people of all backgrounds feel welcome and valued in the workplace.

Where does ethos come from?

The first records of the word ethos to mean the collective character of a society or culture come from the mid-1800s. It comes from a Greek word meaning “custom,” “habit,” or “character.” The word ethic, referring to a body of principles and values, is based on the same root.

Something’s ethos is its character or general attitude—what it’s all about. A country’s national ethos involves its core values and is the driving force behind its culture. The ethos behind what’s called the “American Dream” is the notion that any American who works hard can achieve success.

Did you know ... ?

What are some synonyms for ethos?

• character

What are some words that share a root or word element with ethos? 

 

• ethic
• ethnic
• ethnography
• cacoëthes

 

What are some words that often get used in discussing ethos?

 

• culture
• country
• era
• spirit
• Zeitgeist
• essence
• pathos
• logos
• credibility

How is ethos used in real life?

Ethos is especially used in the context of societies, countries, and cultures.

The American ethos of rugged individualism seems to be in conflict with empathy, especially in times of extreme polarization. Wonder if any political psychologists or sociologists have ever studied this?

— Bill Bua (@billlaurelmd) August 23, 2020

On #NationalVotersDay, I urge all citizens to celebrate the ethos of democracy. Exercise your right & vote to strengthen our great nation.

— Sarbananda Sonowal (@sarbanandsonwal) January 25, 2017

I'm the daughter of an immigrant so working hard is what I was raised to believe. Therapy the last few months has highlighted how my father living with survival at the core had become my ethos, too—despite me having the privilege to prioritize rest & self-care. #blkcreatives

— Nneka M. Okona 🇳🇬 (@afrosypaella) August 26, 2020

 

 

Try using ethos!

Is ethos used correctly in the following sentence?

This way of doing business goes against my entire ethos.