moral
- 01 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.
Simple“The politician faced a difficult moral choice between his career and the truth.”
In context“The philosopher argued that moral obligations exist independently of legal frameworks, rooted instead in universal human empathy.”
Synonyms - 02 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.
Simple“I don't have any money to give, but I can offer you some moral support.”
In context“The presence of the veteran players provided a significant moral boost to the rookies during the final minutes of the championship.”
Synonyms - 03 B1 Intermediate
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.
Simple“The moral of the story is that honesty is always the best policy.”
In context“Critics debated the moral of the novel, questioning whether the author intended to condemn the protagonist's ambition or celebrate his resilience.”
- 04 B2 Upper Intermediate
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.
Simple“He has very strong morals and would never lie to his friends.”
In context“The decline of traditional morals in the city became a central theme for the social commentators of the late nineteenth century.”
UsageUsually used in the plural form 'morals'.
Synonyms
moral vs morale — Moral concerns the principles of right and wrong, while morale describes the emotional state or confidence of a group.
“But Fedorov said it was his "moral right" to start the conversation about elections.”
“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.”
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.