Word
morale
US/mɝˈæɫ/
UK/məɹˈæl/
Uncountable noun
Definition
n. the amount of confidence and enthusiasm a group of people feels. When people have high morale, they feel positive and work well together.
n. the mental and emotional state of enthusiasm, confidence, or loyalty of an individual or a group with regard to a shared task or goal.
Examples
“The team's morale is high after their big win.”
“The manager organized a lunch to boost morale after the staff had worked several long weekends in a row.”
“Sustaining high morale during a prolonged corporate restructuring requires transparent communication and a clear sense of purpose from the executive leadership team.”
Examples
simple
“The team's morale is high after their big win.”
contextual
“The manager organized a lunch to boost morale after the staff had worked several long weekends in a row.”
complex
“Sustaining high morale during a prolonged corporate restructuring requires transparent communication and a clear sense of purpose from the executive leadership team.”
Usage
Typically used with adjectives like 'high', 'low', 'boost', or 'sink'.
Pitfall
The story has a good morale.
The story has a good moral.
Learners often confuse 'morale' (group spirit) with 'moral' (a lesson about right and wrong).
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
“She proffers a brief morale boost, like someone handing you a slice of orange on your way into a war zone.” “Shakeira Fairfax, mother of 25-year-old sailor Jada Fairfax, told Reuters there had been moments over the past few months when "morale was low".” Etymology
Borrowed from French morale.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- 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
- Frequent
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
- アルファベット
- 読み方の一覧 →
QR code
englishreference.com/q/morale