ethics
- 01 B2 Upper Intermediate
the ideas or rules that a person or group has about what is right and wrong.
the moral principles that govern a person's behaviour or the conducting of an activity.
Simple“The company's ethics were questioned after they hid the truth about the accident.”
In context“Personal ethics often dictate how an individual responds to pressure in the workplace, especially when faced with a choice between profit and honesty.”
UsageOften used as a plural noun with a plural verb.
SynonymsAntonyms - 02 B2 Upper Intermediate
a set of rules that people in a specific job must follow to be professional and fair.
the formal standards or codes of conduct that govern the behaviour of members of a specific profession.
Simple“Medical ethics require doctors to keep their patients' information private.”
In context“The committee is responsible for investigating any alleged breaches of professional ethics by members of the bar association.”
UsageFrequently appears in the phrase 'medical ethics' or 'legal ethics'.
Synonymscode of conductstandards - 03 C1 Advanced
the area of study that looks at what it means to be good or bad.
the branch of knowledge or philosophy that deals with moral principles.
Simple“She decided to take a class on ethics to understand different views on right and wrong.”
In context“Ethics is a fundamental component of the philosophy curriculum, requiring students to engage with complex thought experiments regarding human agency.”
UsageWhen referring to the field of study, it is treated as a singular noun.
Synonymsmoral philosophy
“Some might argue children don't need school ethics classes if they already learn ethics from their parents and other adults in their lives.”
“They also reveal how they understand responsibility, ethics, social and moral norms, and their relationship with others.”
From Middle English etik, from Middle French ethique, from Late Latin ethica, from Ancient Greek ἠθική (ēthikḗ), from 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.