morale

American  

[muh-ral] / məˈræl /

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 British  

/ mɒˈrɑːl /

noun

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

---

Etymology

Origin of morale

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

Example Sentences

It finds that morale is low at the department, described as a “rudderless ship” under Patel.

From Salon

There are logistical reasons, competitive reasons, security reasons, morale reasons…on and on.

From The Wall Street Journal

The tourists opted against sending the first-Test XI to the capital in the desire to keep the team together for reasons of morale.

From BBC

But he also excelled in the more subtle, elusive realm of morale.

From The Wall Street Journal

Things started to look up earlier in November, with victories over Aston Villa and Real Madrid lifting morale and offering hope of a return to form.

From BBC

Related Words

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