# ethos

/ˈiθɑs/ (US) · /ˈiːθəʊz/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/ethos
Updated: 2026-08-27

## Senses

### 1. guiding beliefs

noun · CEFR C1 · Academic

the general spirit or beliefs of a community, company, or culture.

For teachers: the characteristic spirit of a culture, era, or community as manifested in its attitudes and aspirations.

- The company's ethos is based on honesty and helping the local community.
- The university's research ethos emphasizes interdisciplinary collaboration and the ethical application of emerging technologies.

Usage: Usually used in the singular; often followed by 'of'.

### 2. rhetorical appeal

noun · CEFR C2 · Academic · Technical

the way a speaker shows they are trustworthy or an expert to persuade an audience.

For teachers: a rhetorical appeal based on the character or projected credibility of the speaker or writer.

- The lawyer built his ethos by mentioning his twenty years of experience in court.
- In her opening statement, the scientist established her ethos by citing her extensive fieldwork and peer-reviewed publications.

Usage: Commonly contrasted with 'pathos' (emotion) and 'logos' (logic) in academic writing.

### 3. artistic character

noun · CEFR C2 · Academic · Literary

the qualities in art that show the calm, ideal character of a culture rather than strong emotions.

For teachers: the aesthetic quality in a work of art that expresses ideal or universal character, often contrasted with emotional 'pathos'.

- The calm ethos of the ancient statues showed the values of that society.
- Critics noted that the mural captured the collective ethos of the post-war era through its focus on stoic, monumental figures.

## Examples

- The school's ethos focuses on hard work and kindness.
- The company's ethos of transparency means that every employee knows exactly how much the executives earn.
- The minimalist ethos of the 1960s art movement rejected the emotional intensity of abstract expressionism in favor of geometric clarity and industrial materials.

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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.