Ethical

English

Adjective

Ethical (comparative more Ethical, superlative most Ethical)

1. (philosophy, not comparable) Of or relating to the study of ethics.

   The philosopher Kant is particularly known for his ethical writings.

2. (not comparable) Of or relating to the accepted principles of right and wrong, especially those of some organization or profession.

   All employees must familiarize themselves with our ethical guidelines.

3. (comparable) Morally approvable; good.

   We are trying to decide what the most ethical course of action would be.

4. (of a drug, not comparable) Only dispensed on the prescription of a physician.

   In most jurisdictions, morphine is classified as an ethical drug.

Adverbs for Ethical

punctiliously; meticulously; highly; systematically; unfailingly; ostentatiously; laboriously; carefully; naturally; habitually; professionally; strictly; rigidly; happily; gracefully; politely; diplomatically; marvellously; conscientiously; dutifully; amenably; absolutely.

Synonyms for Ethical

moral, virtuous, righteous, good, principled, honest.

Antonyms for Ethical

unethical, corrupt, immoral, vicious, dishonest, unbecoming.

Derived terms

• ethical investment
• ethical system
• meta-ethical
• (morally approvable): unethical

Related terms

• ethic
• ethics
• ethos

Thesaurus

Christian, axiological, blameless, clean, conscientious, correct, creditable, decent, deferential, duteous, dutiful, elevated, erect, estimable, ethological, fair, full of integrity, good, high-minded, high-principled, highly respectable, honest, honorable, immaculate, inviolate, irreproachable, just, law-abiding, law-loving, law-revering, manly, moral, moralistic, noble, obedient, observant, open, principled, proper, pure, reputable, respectable, respectful, right, right-minded, righteous, scrupulous, spotless, stainless, sterling, straightforward, true-dealing, true-devoted, true-disposing, true-souled, true-spirited, truehearted, unblemished, uncorrupt, uncorrupted, undefiled, unimpeachable, unspotted, unstained, unsullied, untarnished, upright, uprighteous, upstanding, virtuous, worthy, yeomanly

Etymology

From ethic + -al < Late Latin ethicus (“moral, ethical”) < Ancient Greek ἠθικός (ēthikos, “of or for morals, moral, expressing character”) < ἦθος (ēthos, “character, moral nature”).

Pronunciation

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Translations

of or relating to the study of ethics

Afrikaans: etiek

Czech: etický (cs) m.

See also

• ethical dative

Noun

Ethical (plural Ethicals)

1. An ethical drug.

External links

• Ethical in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, G. & C. Merriam, 1913
• Ethical in The Century Dictionary, The Century Co., New York, 1911
• Ethical at OneLook Dictionary Search

Anagrams

• alethic