Word
ethics
US/ˈɛθɪks/
UK/ˈɛθɪks/
Definitions
01moral principles
B2 · Upper Intermediate Plural noun
n. the ideas or rules that a person or group has about what is right and wrong.
n. the moral principles that govern a person's behaviour or the conducting of an activity.
“The company's ethics were questioned after they hid the truth about the accident.”
“Personal ethics often dictate how an individual responds to pressure in the workplace, especially when faced with a choice between profit and honesty.”
Usage
Often used as a plural noun with a plural verb.
Synonyms
Antonyms
02professional standards
B2 · Upper Intermediate Plural noun Formal
n. a set of rules that people in a specific job must follow to be professional and fair.
n. the formal standards or codes of conduct that govern the behaviour of members of a specific profession.
Español:ética
“Medical ethics require doctors to keep their patients' information private.”
“The committee is responsible for investigating any alleged breaches of professional ethics by members of the bar association.”
Usage
Frequently appears in the phrase 'medical ethics' or 'legal ethics'.
Synonyms
03the study of morality
C1 · Advanced Uncountable noun Science Academic
n. the area of study that looks at what it means to be good or bad.
n. the branch of knowledge or philosophy that deals with moral principles.
“She decided to take a class on ethics to understand different views on right and wrong.”
“Ethics is a fundamental component of the philosophy curriculum, requiring students to engage with complex thought experiments regarding human agency.”
Usage
When referring to the field of study, it is treated as a singular noun.
Synonyms
Real-World Examples
“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.” Etymology
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.
Synonyms
Antonyms
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 Intermediate
- Updated
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Traducciones: Kaikki.org (Wiktionary), CC BY-SA 4.0