conscience

[ kon-shuhns ]

noun

1. the inner sense of what is right or wrong in one's conduct or motives, impelling one toward right action:

   to follow the dictates of conscience.

2. the complex of ethical and moral principles that controls or inhibits the actions or thoughts of an individual.
3. an inhibiting sense of what is prudent:

   I'd eat another piece of pie but my conscience would bother me.

4. conscientiousness.
5. Obsolete. consciousness; self-knowledge.
6. Obsolete. strict and reverential observance.

conscience

/ ˈkɒnʃəns /

noun

1. 1. the sense of right and wrong that governs a person's thoughts and actions
   2. regulation of one's actions in conformity to this sense
   3. a supposed universal faculty of moral insight
2. conscientiousness; diligence
3. a feeling of guilt or anxiety

   he has a conscience about his unkind action

4. obsolete.
   consciousness
5. in conscience or in all conscience
   1. with regard to truth and justice
   2. certainly
6. on one's conscience
   causing feelings of guilt or remorse

Derived Forms

• ˈconscienceless, adjective

Other Words From

• conscience·less adjective
• conscience·less·ly adverb
• conscience·less·ness noun
• sub·conscience noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of conscience¹

First recorded in 1175–1225; Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin conscientia “knowledge, awareness, conscience”; equivalent to con- + science

Word History and Origins

Origin of conscience¹

C13: from Old French, from Latin conscientia knowledge, consciousness, from conscīre to know; see conscious

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. have something on one's conscience, to feel guilty about something, as an act that one considers wrong:

   She behaves as if she had something on her conscience.

2. in all conscience, Also in conscience.
   1. in all reason and fairness.
   2. certainly; assuredly.

More idioms and phrases containing conscience

see have a clear conscience ; in conscience .

Example Sentences

While Deignan was launched into the British sporting conscience by winning the first medal of a memorable home Games, her victory at the 2015 UCI Road World Championships in Richmond, USA, cemented her presence on the global stage, and made her only the fourth Briton to win the title after legends Beryl Burton, Mandy Jones and Nicole Cooke.

From BBC

But rights organisations have called for a review of how countries are selected to host the climate summit after what they say is a worrying increase in the number of environmental prisoners of conscience in Azerbaijan.

From BBC

Some on Capitol Hill think four could be rallied to vote their conscience.

From Slate

The prime minister, a former director of public prosecutions, has previously supported assisted dying, but the government has pledged to remain neutral on the issue, and MPs are being allowed to vote according to their conscience rather than along party lines.

From BBC

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has promised his party will be allowed to vote freely with their conscience.

From BBC

Related Words

• shame