# ethical

/ˈɛθɪkəɫ/ (US) · /ˈɛθɪkəl/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/ethical
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. morally right

adjective · CEFR B2

following moral rules and doing what is right.

For teachers: conforming to accepted standards of social or professional conduct; morally correct.

- 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.

### 2. related to the study of ethics

adjective · CEFR B2 · Academic

relating to the branch of philosophy that studies what is right and wrong.

For teachers: pertaining to the philosophical study of moral values and rules.

- 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.

### 3. prescription-only

adjective · CEFR C2 · Technical

describing a medicine that you can only get with a doctor's note.

For teachers: 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.

### 4. a prescription drug

noun · CEFR C2 · Technical

a medicine that requires a prescription from a doctor.

For teachers: 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.

## Examples

- The company has an ethical policy against child labor.
- Many shoppers now choose brands based on their ethical treatment of workers and the environment.
- The committee debated the ethical implications of using artificial intelligence to make high-stakes medical decisions without human oversight.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.