Meaning of moral in English

Table of contents
  1. Pronunciation
  2. Classifying Adjective
    1. Definitions
  3. Noun
    1. Definitions
  4. Qualitative Adjective
    1. Etymology
    2. Definitions

  1. Pronunciation

    /ˈmɔrəl/

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  1. Classifying Adjective

    moral

    Definitions

    1. adhering to ethical and moral principles

    Examples

    • « it seems ethical and right »
    • « followed the only honorable course of action »
    • « had the moral courage to stand alone »

    Synonyms

  2. 2. arising from the sense of right and wrong

    Examples

    • « a moral obligation »

    Synonyms

  3. 3. psychological rather than physical or tangible in effect

    Examples

    • « a moral victory »
    • « moral support »

    Synonyms

  4. Noun

    moral

    Definitions

    1. the significance of a story or event

    Examples

    • « the moral of the story is to love thy neighbor »

  5. Qualitative Adjective

    moral

    Etymology

    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

    Definitions

    1. relating to principles of right and wrong

    Examples

    • « i.e. to morals or ethics »
    • « moral philosophy »
  6. 2. concerned with principles of right and wrong or conforming to standards of behavior and character based on those principles

    Examples

    • « moral sense »
    • « a moral scrutiny »
    • « a moral lesson »
    • « a moral quandary »
    • « moral convictions »
    • « a moral life »

    Synonyms

    Antonyms

Famous quotes

  • « I have reached the conclusion that those who have physical courage also have moral courage. Physical courage is a great test. »
    Oriana Fallaci
  • « Since Hiroshima and the Holocaust, science no longer holds its pristine place as the highest moral authority. Instead, that role is taken by human rights. It follows that any assault on Jewish life - on Jews or Judaism or the Jewish state - must be cast in the language of human rights. »
    Jonathan Sacks
  • « The idea of winning a doctor's degree gradually assumed the aspect of a great moral struggle, and the moral fight possessed immense attraction for me. »
    Elizabeth Blackwell
  • « If we are to survive, we must have ideas, vision, and courage. These things are rarely produced by committees. Everything that matters in our intellectual and moral life begins with an individual confronting his own mind and conscience in a room by himself. »
    Arthur M. Schlesinger, Jr.
  • « Scientific truth is marvelous, but moral truth is divine and whoever breathes its air and walks by its light has found the lost paradise. »
    Horace Mann

See also

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