ethical

American  

[eth-i-kuhl] / ˈɛθ ɪ kəl /

adjective

1. pertaining to or dealing with morals or the principles of morality; pertaining to right and wrong in conduct.

2. being in accordance with the rules or standards for right conduct or practice, especially the standards of a profession.

   It was not considered ethical for physicians to advertise.

   Synonyms:

   honorable, virtuous, righteous, honest, upright, moral

   Antonyms:

   immoral

3. (of drugs) sold only upon medical prescription.

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ethical British  

/ ˈɛθɪkəl /

adjective

1. in accordance with principles of conduct that are considered correct, esp those of a given profession or group

2. of or relating to ethics

3. (of a medicinal agent) available legally only with a doctor's prescription or consent

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Other Word Forms

• ethicality noun
• ethically adverb
• ethicalness noun
• hyperethical adjective
• nonethical adjective
• pseudoethical adjective
• superethical adjective
• unethical adjective

Etymology

Origin of ethical

First recorded in 1600–10; ethic + -al ¹

Example Sentences

Kaplan defined God as a spiritual and ethical power that exists within us and that urges us to do good in the world.

From The Wall Street Journal

So I’m left wondering: How is it considered ethical?

From MarketWatch

Users and industry observers have noted Proton AG’s focus on scientific and ethical principles, as well as its emphasis on user privacy.

From Salon

The government is alive to these issues; its strategy document is peppered with words like "responsible" and "ethical" when it comes to the use of AI.

From BBC

Many advisers act as fiduciaries, meaning they have a legal and ethical duty to act in a client’s best interest.

From MarketWatch

Related Words

• good
• honest
• honorable
• humane
• moral
• principled
• proper
• virtuous