moral

Pronunciation: /ˈmɒr(ə)l/

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Definition of moral

adjective

1concerned with the principles of right and wrong behaviour:the moral dimensions of medical intervention a moral judgement
concerned with or derived from the code of behaviour that is considered right or acceptable in a particular society:they have a moral obligation to pay the money back
[attributive] examining the nature of ethics and the foundations of good and bad character and conduct:moral philosophers

2holding or manifesting high principles for proper conduct:he prides himself on being a highly moral and ethical person he is a caring, moral man

noun

1a lesson that can be derived from a story or experience:the moral of this story was that one must see the beauty in what one has

2 (morals) standards of behaviour; principles of right and wrong:the corruption of public morals they believe addicts have no morals and cannot be trusted

Derivatives

morally: theories which assert that all inequality is morally wrong his morally bankrupt lifestyle the task of education was to reinvigorate citizenship in order that pupils might act morally

Origin:

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

moral in other Oxford dictionaries

Definition of moral in the US English dictionary

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Other

moral

adjective

noun

Derivatives

morally

Origin:

moral in other Oxford dictionaries

Nearby words

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