ethic

American  

[eth-ik] / ˈɛθ ɪk /

noun

1. the body of moral principles or values governing or distinctive of a particular culture or group.

   the Christian ethic; the tribal ethic of the Zuni.

2. a complex of moral precepts held or rules of conduct followed by an individual.

   a personal ethic.

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ethic British  

/ ˈɛθɪk /

noun

1. a moral principle or set of moral values held by an individual or group

   the Puritan ethic

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adjective

1. another word for ethical

Other Word Forms

• nonethic adjective

Etymology

Origin of ethic

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English ethic, etic, from Latin ēthicus, from Greek ēthikós, equivalent to êth(os) ethos + -ikos -ic

Example Sentences

The order fills gaps in existing state ethics laws to address concerns that betting platforms such as Kalshi and Polymarket can be exploited by people with inside information or the power to control events.

From The Wall Street Journal

Dupont-Walker and Mitchell announced at the start of the meeting that they had recused themselves from the vote after Metro ethics advisors told them they had a conflict of interest.

From Los Angeles Times

But he articulated things that hadn’t been part of the American grain, becoming his country’s poet laureate of nature and ethics and its hippie Founding Father.

From The Wall Street Journal

We’ve worked hard for 18 years to instill a strong work ethic and teach budgeting skills, and I don’t want to see that undone.

From MarketWatch

“All federal employees are subject to government ethics guidelines that prohibit the use of nonpublic information for financial benefit,” he said.

From Salon

Related Words

• fairness
• integrity
• moral
• morality
• principle
• virtue