Word
moral
US/ˈmɔɹəɫ/
UK/mˈɒɹəl/
Definitions
01right and wrong
B1 · Intermediate
adj. relating to the standards of good and bad behavior.
adj. relating to the principles of right and wrong behavior and the goodness or badness of human character.
“The politician faced a difficult moral choice between his career and the truth.”
“The philosopher argued that moral obligations exist independently of legal frameworks, rooted instead in universal human empathy.”
Synonyms
02psychological support
B2 · Upper Intermediate
adj. giving someone confidence or support rather than physical help.
adj. relating to the mental or emotional state of a person, particularly regarding confidence and resolve.
“I don't have any money to give, but I can offer you some moral support.”
“The presence of the veteran players provided a significant moral boost to the rookies during the final minutes of the championship.”
Synonyms
03lesson of a story
B1 · Intermediate Countable noun
n. the practical lesson about what is right or wrong that you learn from a story or event.
n. the didactic lesson or ethical significance derived from a fable, story, or experience.
“The moral of the story is that honesty is always the best policy.”
“Critics debated the moral of the novel, questioning whether the author intended to condemn the protagonist's ambition or celebrate his resilience.”
04personal standards
B2 · Upper Intermediate Plural noun
n. the standards of good behavior that a person or group believes in.
n. a person's standards of behavior or beliefs concerning what is and is not acceptable for them to do; typically used in the plural.
“He has very strong morals and would never lie to his friends.”
“The decline of traditional morals in the city became a central theme for the social commentators of the late nineteenth century.”
Usage
Usually used in the plural form 'morals'.
Synonyms
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “moral” in context.
Verb
01. boost moral standards
“The new headteacher aims to boost moral standards throughout the school.”
verb + adj + noun
02. face a moral dilemma
“She faced a moral dilemma when she discovered her friend was cheating.”
verb + adj + noun
Adjective
03. highly moral
“She is a highly moral person who always tries to do the right thing.”
adv + adj
Noun
04. moral compass
“He relies on his strong moral compass to make difficult decisions at work.”
adj + noun
05. moral obligation
“We have a moral obligation to protect the environment for future generations.”
adj + noun
06. moral of the story
“The moral of the story is that honesty is always the best policy.”
noun + of + noun
07. moral support
“My family provided moral support while I was waiting for my exam results.”
adj + noun
Confusables
Moral concerns the principles of right and wrong, while morale describes the emotional state or confidence of a group.
RememberMoral is a Lesson; Morale is a Feeling.
Real-World Examples
“People have a moral right to make certain decisions for themselves, whether that is choosing a flavor of ice cream or deciding whether to have children.” “But Fedorov said it was his "moral right" to start the conversation about elections.” Etymology
From Middle English moral, from Old French moral, from Latin mōrālis (“relating to manners or morals”) (first used by Cicero, to translate Ancient Greek ἠθικός (ēthikós, “moral”)), from mos (“manner, custom”).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
NOUN
ADJECTIVE
Idioms
- 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 IntermediateOxford
- Updated
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