morale

[ muh-ral ]

noun

1. emotional or mental condition with respect to cheerfulness, confidence, zeal, etc., especially in the face of opposition, hardship, etc.:

   the morale of the troops.

morale

/ mɒˈrɑːl /

noun

1. the degree of mental or moral confidence of a person or group; spirit of optimism

Word History and Origins

Origin of morale¹

First recorded in 1745–55; from French, noun use of feminine of moral “custom”; moral

Word History and Origins

Origin of morale¹

C18: morals, from French, n. use of moral (adj)

Example Sentences

Elizabeth Atherton, an opera singer, said she had “no confidence” that the Welsh or UK governments were taking the matter seriously enough and said morale within the sector was "at an all-time low".

From BBC

The meltdown is continuing and will do so until morale improves—which could be as soon as January, when Donald Trump takes office and begins bearing the brunt of everyone in the United States being mad about everything.

From Slate

Compared to missiles they are much cheaper to build, easier to fire, and designed to sap morale.

From BBC

The Harris campaign—now inexplicably dubbed the Harris Fight Fund—allows that, perhaps, Harris’ voters are hurting from an existential political defeat, one that has reduced morale in the party to a low not seen in two decades.

From Slate

“It was almost part of the war effort to keep the front up, to keep your appearance together as much as you could, to keep morale high,” says Durran.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• attitude
• mood
• resolve
• self-confidence
• spirit