moral

mor·al

Use moral in a sentence

adjective

The definition of moral is something that relates to the rules of right and wrong.
An example of moral is governing principles of a religious group.

noun

Moral is defined as a principle that governs right and wrong or the lesson of a fable.
1. An example of moral is the commandment "Thou shalt not kill."
2. An example of moral is "Slow and steady wins the race" from "The Tortoise and the Hare."

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"moral." YourDictionary, n.d. Web. 21 January 2019. <https://www.yourdictionary.com/Moral>.

APA Style

moral. (n.d.). Retrieved January 21st, 2019, from https://www.yourdictionary.com/Moral

moral

relating to, dealing with, or capable of making the distinction between right and wrong in conduct
relating to, serving to teach, or in accordance with the principles of right and wrong
good or right in conduct or character; sometimes, specif., virtuous in sexual conduct
designating support, etc. that involves approval and sympathy without action
being virtually such because of its effect on thoughts, attitudes, etc., or because of its general results: a moral victory
based on strong probability: a moral certainty
based on the principle of right conduct rather than legality: a moral obligation
Law based on general observation of people, on analogy, etc. rather than on what is demonstrable: moral evidence

Origin of moral

Middle English from Classical Latin moralis, of manners or customs from mos (gen. moris), plural mores, manners, morals (see mood): used by Cicero as translated, translation of Classical Greek ?thikos

1. a moral implication or moral lesson taught by a fable, event, etc.
2. a statement of this lesson, typically the concluding statement of a fable or story
[pl.] principles, standards, or habits with respect to right or wrong in conduct; ethics; sometimes, specif., standards of sexual behavior

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MLA Style

"moral." YourDictionary, n.d. Web. 21 January 2019. <https://www.yourdictionary.com/Moral>.

APA Style

moral. (n.d.). Retrieved January 21st, 2019, from https://www.yourdictionary.com/Moral

moral

adjective

Of or concerned with the judgment of right or wrong of human action and character: moral scrutiny; a moral quandary.
Teaching or exhibiting goodness or correctness of character and behavior: a moral lesson.
Conforming to standards of what is right or just in behavior; virtuous: a moral life.
Arising from conscience or the sense of right and wrong: a moral obligation.
Having psychological rather than physical or tangible effects: a moral victory; moral support.
Based on strong likelihood or firm conviction, rather than on the actual evidence: a moral certainty.

noun

The lesson or principle contained in or taught by a fable, a story, or an event.
A concisely expressed precept or general truth; a maxim: likes to follow the moral “To each, his own.”
morals Rules or habits of conduct, especially of sexual conduct, with reference to standards of right and wrong: a person of loose morals; a decline in the public morals.

Origin of moral

Middle English from Old French from Latin mōrālis from mōs mōr- custom ; see mē-¹ in Indo-European roots.

Related Forms:

mor′al·ly
adverb

THE AMERICAN HERITAGE® DICTIONARY OF THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE, FIFTH EDITION by the Editors of the American Heritage Dictionaries. Copyright © 2016, 2011 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

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MLA Style

"moral." YourDictionary, n.d. Web. 21 January 2019. <https://www.yourdictionary.com/Moral>.

APA Style

moral. (n.d.). Retrieved January 21st, 2019, from https://www.yourdictionary.com/Moral

moral

moral ethical virtuous righteous

These adjectives mean in accord with right or good conduct. Moral applies to personal character and behavior, especially sexual conduct: “Our moral sense dictates a clearcut preference for these societies which share with us an abiding respect for individual human rights” (Jimmy Carter). Ethical stresses idealistic standards of right and wrong: “Ours is a world of nuclear giants and ethical infants” (Omar N. Bradley). Virtuous implies moral excellence and loftiness of character: “The life of the nation is secure only while the nation is honest, truthful, and virtuous” (Frederick Douglass). Righteous emphasizes moral uprightness; when it is applied to actions, reactions, or impulses, it often implies justifiable outrage: “He was . . . stirred by righteous wrath” (John Galsworthy).

THE AMERICAN HERITAGE® DICTIONARY OF THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE, FIFTH EDITION by the Editors of the American Heritage Dictionaries. Copyright © 2016, 2011 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

Link/Cite

Link to this page

Cite this page

MLA Style

"moral." YourDictionary, n.d. Web. 21 January 2019. <https://www.yourdictionary.com/Moral>.

APA Style

moral. (n.d.). Retrieved January 21st, 2019, from https://www.yourdictionary.com/Moral

Adjective

(comparative more moral, superlative most moral)

Of or relating to principles of right and wrong in behaviour, especially for teaching right behaviour.
moral judgments; a moral poem
Conforming to a standard of right behaviour; sanctioned by or operative on one's conscience or ethical judgment.
a moral obligation
Capable of right and wrong action.
a moral agent
Probable but not proved.
a moral certainty
Positively affecting the mind, confidence, or will.
a moral victory; moral support

Related terms

terms etymologically related to moral

Noun

(plural morals)

(of a narrative) The ethical significance or practical lesson.
The moral of the The Boy Who Cried Wolf is that if you repeatedly lie, people won't believe you when you tell the truth.
Moral practices or teachings: modes of conduct.

Anagrams

molar

Origin

From French moral, from Latin mÅrÄlis (“relating to manners or morals") (first used by Cicero, to translate Ancient Greek á¼ Î¸Î¹ÎºÏŒÏ‚ (Ä“thikos, “moral")), from mos (“manner, custom").

English Wiktionary. Available under CC-BY-SA license.