moral

[ mawr-uhl, mor- ]

adjective

1. of, relating to, or concerned with the principles or rules of right conduct or the distinction between right and wrong; ethical:

   moral attitudes.

2. expressing or conveying truths or counsel as to right conduct, as a speaker or a literary work.
3. founded on the fundamental principles of right conduct rather than on legalities, enactment, or custom:

   moral obligations.

4. capable of conforming to the rules of right conduct:

   a moral being.

5. conforming to the rules of right conduct ( immoral ):

   a moral man.

   Synonyms: honorable, virtuous, open, straightforward, honest, upright

6. virtuous in sexual matters; chaste.
7. of, relating to, or acting on the mind, feelings, will, or character:

   moral support.

8. resting upon convincing grounds of probability; virtual:

   a moral certainty.

noun

1. the moral teaching or practical lesson contained in a fable, tale, experience, etc.
2. the embodiment or type of something.
3. morals, principles or habits with respect to right or wrong conduct.

   Synonyms: morality, integrity

moral

/ ˈmɒrəl /

adjective

1. concerned with or relating to human behaviour, esp the distinction between good and bad or right and wrong behaviour

   moral sense

2. adhering to conventionally accepted standards of conduct
3. based on a sense of right and wrong according to conscience

   moral law

   moral courage

4. having psychological rather than tangible effects

   moral support

5. having the effects but not the appearance of (victory or defeat)

   a moral victory

   a moral defeat

6. having a strong probability

   a moral certainty

7. law (of evidence, etc) based on a knowledge of the tendencies of human nature

noun

1. the lesson to be obtained from a fable or event

   point the moral

2. a concise truth; maxim
3. plural principles of behaviour in accordance with standards of right and wrong

Derived Forms

• ˈmorally, adverb

Other Words From

• moral·less adjective
• anti·moral adjective
• hyper·moral adjective
• hyper·moral·ly adverb
• over·moral adjective
• over·moral·ly adverb
• pre·moral adjective
• pre·moral·ly adverb
• pseudo·moral adjective
• quasi-moral adjective
• quasi-moral·ly adverb
• super·moral adjective
• super·moral·ly adverb
• under·moral adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of moral¹

First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English, from Latin mōrālis, equivalent to mōr- (stem of mōs ) “usage, custom” + -ālis -al ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of moral¹

C14: from Latin mōrālis relating to morals or customs, from mōs custom

Synonym Study

Morals, ethics refer to rules and standards of conduct and practice. Morals refers to generally accepted customs of conduct and right living in a society, and to the individual's practice in relation to these: the morals of our civilization. Ethics now implies high standards of honest and honorable dealing, and of methods used, especially in the professions or in business: ethics of the medical profession.

Example Sentences

Doing so is a pragmatic as well as a moral necessity lest the voters’ patience and generosity run out.

From Los Angeles Times

That’s why, he thought, the immigration fight had to be taken up inside the conservation movement itself, by what is viewed as America’s most prominent environmental organization, an organization that would have the moral authority to bring difficult messages to the public.

From Salon

It presents these people in an incredibly complicated situation, and it doesn’t make any moral judgments,” they said.

From Los Angeles Times

Many, from both sides of the political aisle, suggested Gaetz lacked the moral foundation needed to hold the position, and could face an uphill battle to winning confirmation in the Senate.

From Los Angeles Times

“Gaetz is not only totally incompetent for this job, he doesn’t have the character. He is a person of moral turpitude.”

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• ethical
• good
• honest
• noble
• principled
• proper
• righteous