# morality

/mɝˈæɫəti/ (US) · /mɒɹˈælɪti/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/morality
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. right and wrong

noun · CEFR B2

the belief that some types of behaviour are right and good and others are wrong.

For teachers: the abstract quality of being in accord with principles of right conduct; the distinction between good and evil.

- The judge questioned the morality of the company's decision to hide the truth.
- Philosophers have long debated whether morality is an inherent human trait or a construct developed through social necessity.

Usage: uncountable in this sense

### 2. a system of values

noun · CEFR B2

a particular set of rules or values that a group of people follow.

For teachers: a specific system of values and principles of conduct, especially one held by a particular society or religion.

- Every culture has its own morality regarding family and duty.
- The book explores how Victorian morality influenced the strict social laws of the nineteenth century.

Usage: countable in this sense

### 3. theatre

noun · CEFR C2 · Archaic · Technical

a type of play from the Middle Ages that teaches a lesson about being good.

For teachers: a drama of the 15th and 16th centuries using allegorical characters to illustrate moral lessons.

- In school, we studied a famous morality play where characters represented things like 'Greed' and 'Kindness'.
- The Everyman is perhaps the most enduring example of a medieval morality, depicting the protagonist's journey toward spiritual reckoning.

Usage: often used as 'morality play'

Teaching tip: This is a very specific historical term; students will likely only encounter it in literature or history classes.

## Examples

- Many people base their morality on their religious beliefs.
- The debate over the new law focused on the morality of the decision rather than its economic impact.
- Philosophers have long debated whether human morality is an evolutionary adaptation designed to foster group cooperation or a set of universal truths discovered through reason.

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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.