# ethics

/ˈɛθɪks/ (US) · /ˈɛθɪks/ (UK)

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

## Senses

### 1. moral principles

noun · CEFR B2

the ideas or rules that a person or group has about what is right and wrong.

For teachers: 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.

### 2. professional standards

noun · CEFR B2 · Formal

a set of rules that people in a specific job must follow to be professional and fair.

For teachers: the formal standards or codes of conduct that govern the behaviour of members of a specific profession.

- 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'.

### 3. the study of morality

noun · CEFR C1 · Academic

the area of study that looks at what it means to be good or bad.

For teachers: 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.

## Examples

- The doctor's ethics prevented him from sharing the patient's secret.
- The company hired a consultant to review its business ethics and ensure all employees were treated fairly.
- Advances in artificial intelligence have raised profound questions regarding the ethics of automated decision-making, particularly when algorithms determine access to housing or medical care.

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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.