Word
ethical
Phoneticseth·i·cal, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈɛθɪkəɫ/
UK/ˈɛθɪkəl/
Definitions
01morally right
B2 · Upper Intermediate
adj. following moral rules and doing what is right.
adj. conforming to accepted standards of social or professional conduct; morally correct.
日本語:倫理的※
“The company is famous for its ethical treatment of workers and the environment.”
“Investors are increasingly moving their capital toward ethical funds that prioritize environmental sustainability and fair labor practices over short-term profits.”
Synonyms
02related to the study of ethics
B2 · Upper Intermediate Science Academic
adj. relating to the branch of philosophy that studies what is right and wrong.
adj. pertaining to the philosophical study of moral values and rules.
日本語:倫理的※
“The students had a long debate about several ethical problems in modern science.”
“The committee was formed to address the complex ethical implications of using artificial intelligence in medical diagnostics.”
Synonyms
03prescription-only
C2 · Proficiency Medicine Technical
adj. describing a medicine that you can only get with a doctor's note.
adj. referring to drugs that are legally dispensed only via a physician's prescription.
“The pharmacist explained that this is an ethical drug and requires a prescription.”
“The pharmaceutical company focuses primarily on the development of ethical medications rather than over-the-counter wellness products.”
Synonyms
Antonyms
04a prescription drug
C2 · Proficiency Countable noun Medicine Technical
n. a medicine that requires a prescription from a doctor.
n. a drug that is restricted to sale by prescription only.
“The hospital pharmacy stocks a wide range of medical ethicals.”
“The regulatory body oversees the marketing of ethicals to ensure that claims made to healthcare providers are supported by clinical data.”
Synonyms
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “ethical” in context.
Adjective
01. ethical concern
“The use of artificial intelligence in surveillance has raised a serious ethical concern.”
adj + noun
02. ethical consideration
“Before starting the experiment, the researchers had to weigh every ethical consideration.”
adj + noun
03. ethical dilemma
“The doctor faced an ethical dilemma when the patient refused life-saving treatment.”
adj + noun
04. ethical implication
“We must discuss the ethical implication of gene editing on future generations.”
adj + noun
05. ethical issue
“Data privacy is a major ethical issue that tech companies need to address.”
adj + noun
06. ethical principle
“The company's code of conduct is based on the ethical principle of transparency.”
adj + noun
07. ethical problem
“Using child labor in the supply chain is a significant ethical problem for the industry.”
adj + noun
08. ethical question
“Whether it is right to test cosmetics on animals remains a difficult ethical question.”
adj + noun
09. ethical reason
“She decided to become a vegetarian for an ethical reason rather than for health benefits.”
adj + noun
10. ethical standard
“Journalists are expected to maintain a high ethical standard when reporting the news.”
adj + noun
11. ethical concerns
12. ethical issues
Real-World Examples
“It is a story about the difference between the appearance of ethical practice and the substance of it.” “A green and social-democratic AI model would look very different even to the self-proclaimed ethical models offered by US vendors.” Etymology
From ethic + -al, from Late Latin ethicus (“moral, ethical”), from Ancient Greek ἠθικός (ēthikós, “of or for morals, moral, expressing character”), from ἦθος (êthos, “character, moral nature”).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
NOUN
ADJECTIVE
ADVERB
Domain
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Common
- Level
- B2 · Upper IntermediateOxford
- Updated
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/ethical
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「日本語」 data: JMdict (EDRDG), CC BY-SA 4.0