What is moral? How to use in English

Discover the meaning of moral in English, its pronunciation, and how to use it correctly in real-life situations. See examples and easy memorization tips.

Definition & pronunciation of moral

moraladjective

đạo đức, luân lý, phẩm hạnh, có đạo đức

/ˈmɒrəl/

Definition & pronunciation of <strong>moral</strong>

Where does the word moral come from?

late Middle English: from Latin moralis, from mos, mor- ‘custom’, (plural) mores ‘morals’. As a noun the word was first used to translate Latin Moralia, the title of St Gregory the Great's moral exposition of the Book of Job, and was subsequently applied to the works of various classical writers

Vocabulary summary moral

typeadjective

meaning(belonging to) ethics, (belonging to) morality, (belonging to) virtue

examplethe moral of the fable: the moral of the fable

examplemoral philosophy

examplemoral principles: moral principles, ethics, morality

meaningethical

examplehis morals atr excellent: his morals are very good

meaningspirit

examplehe is the very moral of his father

examplemoral victory: spiritual victory

typenoun

meaninglesson, admonition

examplethe moral of the fable: the moral of the fable

examplemoral philosophy

examplemoral principles: moral principles, ethics, morality

meaning(plural) ethics, virtue, character, personality

examplehis morals atr excellent: his morals are very good

meaninglikeness, image

examplehe is the very moral of his father

examplemoral victory: spiritual victory

Example of vocabulary moralnamespace

meaning

connected with principles of right and wrong behaviour

  • a moral issue/dilemma
  • traditional moral values
  • a decline in moral standards
  • moral and ethical questions
  • The basic moral philosophies of most world religions are remarkably similar.
meaning

based on your own sense of what is right and fair, not on legal rights or duties

  • moral responsibility/duty/authority
  • We have a moral imperative to help whenever we can.
  • I make no moral judgement on this decision.
  • Governments have at least a moral obligation to answer these questions.
  • Children learn to develop their own moral code for adulthood.
meaning

following the standards of behaviour considered acceptable and right by most people

  • He led a very moral life.
  • a very moral person
  • We try to teach our students to be conscientious, moral young people.
meaning

able to understand the difference between right and wrong

  • Children are not naturally moral beings.

Synonyms and related words for moral

Idioms of vocabulary moral

take, claim, seize, etc. the moral high ground
to claim that your side of an argument is morally better than your opponents’ side; to argue in a way that makes your side seem morally better
  • I was angry with his blatant attempt to take the moral high ground.

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