ethical
- 01 B2 Upper Intermediate
adj.following moral rules and doing what is right.
adj.conforming to accepted standards of social or professional conduct; morally correct.
Simple“The company is famous for its ethical treatment of workers and the environment.”
In context“Investors are increasingly moving their capital toward ethical funds that prioritize environmental sustainability and fair labor practices over short-term profits.”
Synonyms - 02 B2 Upper Intermediate
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.
Simple“The students had a long debate about several ethical problems in modern science.”
In context“The committee was formed to address the complex ethical implications of using artificial intelligence in medical diagnostics.”
Synonyms - 03 C2 Proficiency
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.
Simple“The pharmacist explained that this is an ethical drug and requires a prescription.”
In context“The pharmaceutical company focuses primarily on the development of ethical medications rather than over-the-counter wellness products.”
SynonymsAntonymsover the counter - 04 C2 Proficiency
n.a medicine that requires a prescription from a doctor.
n.a drug that is restricted to sale by prescription only.
Simple“The hospital pharmacy stocks a wide range of medical ethicals.”
In context“The regulatory body oversees the marketing of ethicals to ensure that claims made to healthcare providers are supported by clinical data.”
Synonyms
Usage ethical concerns · ethical issues · ethical concern
“It is a story about the difference between the appearance of ethical practice and the substance of it.”
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.