work ethic

American

[wurk eth-ik] / ˈwɜrk ˌɛθ ɪk /

noun

a belief in the moral benefit and importance of work and its inherent ability to strengthen character.

work ethic British

noun

a belief in the moral value of work (often in the phrase Protestant work ethic )

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of work ethic

First recorded in 1950–55

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Work ethic was a major part of his upbringing - and his parents also taught him how to be calm and self-confident.

From BBC • Jan. 6, 2025

Work ethic and dedication make Albon an ideal team player, but also cost him in the past when he needed to be more ruthless.

From Seattle Times • Feb. 6, 2023

"Do you know what one of their albums was called? Work ethic."

From Fox News • Jul. 3, 2021

Work ethic, human rights values, value of education have all been imported throughout America’s cultivation as a young nation.

From Slate • Mar. 7, 2017

Though Johnson and Singh are vastly different personalities from different corners of the world, Diovisalvi sees a common trait: Work ethic.

From Golf Digest • Feb. 21, 2017

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023