Definition of 'moral'
Word forms: plural morals
1. plural noun
2. adjective [ADJ n]
Moral means relating to beliefs about what is right or wrong.
3. adjective [ADJ n]
4. adjective
A moral person behaves in a way that is believed by most people to be good and right.
5. adjective [ADJ n]
6. countable noun
The moral of a story or event is what you learn from it about how you should or should not
behave.
Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner’s Dictionary. Copyright © HarperCollins Publishers
British English pronunciation
American English pronunciation
You may also like
Word Frequency
moral in American English
adjective
1.
relating to, dealing with, or capable of making the distinction between right and wrong in conduct
3.
good or right in conduct or character; sometimes, specif., virtuous in sexual conduct
4.
designating support, etc. that involves approval and sympathy without action
5.
being virtually such because of its effect on thoughts, attitudes, etc., or because of its general results
a moral victory
6.
based on strong probability
a moral certainty
8. Law
based on general observation of people, on analogy, etc. rather than on what is demonstrable
moral evidence
noun
SYNONYMY NOTE: moral implies conformity with the generally accepted standards of goodness or rightness
in conduct or character, sometimes, specif., in sexual conduct [a moral person]; ethical implies conformity with an elaborated, ideal code of moral principles, sometimes,
specif., with the code of a particular profession [an ethical lawyer]; virtuous implies a morally excellent character, connoting justice, integrity, and often, specif.,
chastity; righteous implies a being morally blameless or justifiable [righteous anger]9.
a moral implication or moral lesson taught by a fable, event, etc.
10.
the conclusion of a fable or story containing a moral lesson
OPPOSITE: immoral
Webster’s New World College Dictionary, 4th Edition. Copyright © 2010 by
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. All rights reserved.
Derived forms
morally (ˈmorally)
adverb
Word Frequency
moral in American English
(ˈmɔrəl, ˈmɑr-)
adjective
SYNONYMS 5. upright, honest, straightforward, open, virtuous, honorable. 11. integrity, standards, morality. morals, ethics refer to rules and standards of conduct and practice. morals refers to generally accepted customs of conduct and right living in a society, and
to the individual’s practice in relation to these: the morals of our civilization. ethics now implies high standards of honest and honorable dealing, and of methods used,
esp. in the professions or in business: ethics of the medical profession. 1.
of, pertaining to, or concerned with the principles or rules of right conduct or the distinction
between right and wrong; ethical
moral attitudes
2.
expressing or conveying truths or counsel as to right conduct, as a speaker or a literary work; moralizing
a moral novel
3.
founded on the fundamental principles of right conduct rather than on legalities, enactment, or custom
moral obligations
6.
virtuous in sexual matters; chaste
7.
of, pertaining to, or acting on the mind, feelings, will, or character
moral support
Most material © 2005, 1997, 1991 by Penguin Random House LLC. Modified entries © 2019
by Penguin Random House LLC and HarperCollins Publishers Ltd
Derived forms
moralless adjective
Word origin
[1300–50; ME ‹ L mōrālis, equiv. to mōr- (s. of mōs) usage, custom + -ālis -al1]Word Frequency
moral in British English
adjective
1.
concerned with or relating to human behaviour, esp the distinction between good and bad or right and wrong behaviour
moral sense
noun
Collins English Dictionary. Copyright © HarperCollins Publishers
Derived forms
morally (ˈmorally) adverb
Word origin
C14: from Latin mōrālis relating to morals or customs, from mōs custom
Examples of 'moral' in a sentence
moral
These examples have been automatically selected and may contain sensitive content that does not reflect the opinions or policies of Collins, or its parent company HarperCollins.
We welcome feedback: report an example sentence to the Collins team. Read more…
Quotations
Food first, then moralsThe Threepenny Opera
More idioms containing
moral
Trends of
moral
View usage over:
Source: Google Books Ngram Viewer
In other languages
moral
British English: moral
/ˈmɒrəl/ ADJECTIVE
Moral means relating to beliefs about what is right or wrong.
She had to make a moral judgment about what was the right thing to do.
- American English: moral /ˈmɔrəl/
- Arabic: أخْلَاقِيٌّ معنوي
- Brazilian Portuguese: moral
- Chinese: 道德上的
- Croatian: moralan
- Czech: morální
- Danish: moralsk
- Dutch: deugdzaam
- European Spanish: moral
- Finnish: moraalinen
- French: moral
- German: moralisch
- Greek: ηθικός
- Italian: morale
- Japanese: 道徳の
- Korean: 도덕적인
- Norwegian: moralsk
- Polish: moralny
- European Portuguese: moral
- Romanian: etic
- Russian: моральный
- Spanish: moral
- Swedish: moralisk
- Thai: ซึ่งเกี่ยวกับศีลธรรม
- Turkish: ahlaki
- Ukrainian: моральний
- Vietnamese: thuộc đạo đức
British English: moral
/ˈmɒrəl/ NOUN
Morals are principles and beliefs concerning right and wrong behaviour.
- American English: moral /ˈmɔrəl/
- Arabic: مُغْزَى
- Brazilian Portuguese: moral
- Chinese: 寓意
- Croatian: pouka
- Czech: mravní zásada
- Danish: moral
- Dutch: moraal
- European Spanish: moraleja
- Finnish: opetus tarinan
- French: morale histoire
- German: Moral Geschichte
- Greek: ηθικό δίδαγμα
- Italian: morale
- Japanese: 教訓
- Korean: 교훈
- Norwegian: moral
- Polish: morał
- European Portuguese: moral
- Romanian: principiu moral
- Russian: мораль
- Spanish: moraleja
- Swedish: moral
- Thai: ศีลธรรม
- Turkish: ders ahlaki
- Ukrainian: мораль
- Vietnamese: bài học đạo đức
Browse alphabetically
moral
Related terms of
moral
Source
Definition of moral from the Collins English Dictionary
Read about the team of authors behind Collins Dictionaries.
Quick word challenge
Quiz Review
Question: 1
-
Score: 0 / 5
Your score:
Word of the day
bee
A bee is an insect with a yellow-and-black striped body that makes a buzzing noise as it flies. Bees make honey , and can sting .
Study guides for every stage of your learning journey
Whether you're in search of a crossword puzzle, a detailed guide to tying knots, or tips on writing the perfect college essay, Harper Reference has you covered for all your study needs.
Read more
Updating our Usage
There are many diverse influences on the way that English is used across the world today. We look at some of the ways in which the language is changing. Read our series of blogs to find out more.
Read more
Area 51, Starship, and Harvest Moon: September’s Words in the News
I’m sure a lot of people would agree that we live in strange times. But do they have to be so strange that Area 51 is making headlines? And what’s this about fish the look like aliens. September’s Words in the News explain all.
Read more
Collins English Dictionary Apps
Download our English Dictionary apps - available for both iOS and Android.
Read more
Collins Dictionaries for Schools
Our new online dictionaries for schools provide a safe and appropriate environment for children. And best of all it's ad free, so sign up now and start using at home or in the classroom.
Read more
Word lists
We have almost 200 lists of words from topics as varied as types of butterflies, jackets, currencies, vegetables and knots!
Amaze your friends with your new-found knowledge!
Read more
Quick word challenge
Quiz Review
Question: 1
-
Score: 0 / 5
SYNONYMS
Select the synonym for:
best
SYNONYMS
Select the synonym for:
always
SYNONYMS
Select the synonym for:
happy
SYNONYMS
Select the synonym for:
later
Your score:
New collocations added to dictionary
Collocations are words that are often used together and are brilliant at providing natural sounding language for your speech and writing.
Read more
Study guides for every stage of your learning journey
Whether you're in search of a crossword puzzle, a detailed guide to tying knots, or tips on writing the perfect college essay, Harper Reference has you covered for all your study needs.
Read more
Updating our Usage
There are many diverse influences on the way that English is used across the world today. We look at some of the ways in which the language is changing. Read our series of blogs to find out more.
Read more
Area 51, Starship, and Harvest Moon: September’s Words in the News
I’m sure a lot of people would agree that we live in strange times. But do they have to be so strange that Area 51 is making headlines? And what’s this about fish the look like aliens. September’s Words in the News explain all.
Read more
Learning English: Months of the year
Learn how to speak about the months of the year, and give information about important dates. Improve your English with Collins.
Read more
Learning English: Days of the week
Learn how to discuss what happens on different days of the week, whether you want to make plans for the day or talk about weekly routines.
Read more
Learning English: Going shopping
Discover some useful English expressions to use while you're out at the shops in this week's Learning English blog.
Read more
Sting-Nettle Day
We're taking a closer look at the intriguing expressions and customs that have grown up around one of the most versatile plants out there - the stinging nettle.
Read more
Collins English Dictionary Apps
Download our English Dictionary apps - available for both iOS and Android.
Read more
Collins Dictionaries for Schools
Our new online dictionaries for schools provide a safe and appropriate environment for children. And best of all it's ad free, so sign up now and start using at home or in the classroom.
Read more
Word lists
We have almost 200 lists of words from topics as varied as types of butterflies, jackets, currencies, vegetables and knots!
Amaze your friends with your new-found knowledge!
Read more