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ethical definition

ethi·cal (et̸h′i kəl)

adjective

  1. having to do with ethics or morality; of or conforming to moral standards
  2. conforming to the standards of conduct of a given profession or group
  3. designating or of a drug obtainable only on a doctor's prescription

Etymology: ME ethik (< L ethicus < Gr ēthikos < ēthos, character, custom < IE base *swedh-, essential quality, own character > Goth swes, L suus, one's own & suescere, to become accustomed) + -al

Related Forms:

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2005 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

Alternate definitions:

business ethical definition - business

law ethical definition - legal

medical ethical definition - medical

ethical Synonyms

ethical

modif.

humane, moral, upright; see decent 2, moral 1, noble 1, 2. See syn. study at moral.


Webster's New World Roget's A-Z Thesaurus Copyright © 1999 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

ethical Usage Examples

Infinitive complement

  • create: Is it ethical to create a link building campaign?

Modifies a noun

  • dilemma: Where ethical dilemmas have arisen, what steps have you taken to resolve these?

Modifying Another Word

  • purely: A purely ethical approach has been replaced with a socially responsible viewpoint that encompasses a wide range of environmental and social concerns.

Used with adjective complement

  • raise: This raised ethical as well as practical considerations, calling for judgment rather than scientific expertise.
ethical usage examples (more)

The word usage examples above have been gathered from various sources to reflect current and historical usage. They do not represent the opinions of YourDictionary.com.

ethical quotes

   To believe in'the greater good' isto operate, necessarily, in a certain ethical suspension.

-Didion,Joan

The ethical reality of the individual is the only reality.

-Kierkegaard, So«  ren Aabye

  What is the difference between unethical and ethical advertising? Unethical advertising uses falsehoods to deceive the public; ethical advertising uses truth to deceive the public.

-Stefansson,Vilhjalmur

ethical quotes (more)

Webster's New World Dictionary of Quotations Copyright © 2005 by Chambers Harrap Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved. Published by Wiley, Hoboken, NJ. Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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MLA Style

"ethical." Webster's New World College Dictionary. 2009

  • Your Dictionary. 4 July 2009
  • <www.yourdictionary.com/ethical>

APA Style

ethical. (2009). In Webster's New World College Dictionary

  • Retrieved July 4th, 2009, from www.yourdictionary.com/ethical

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