Dictionary.com

ethical

[ eth-i-kuhl ]
/ ˈɛθ ɪ kəl /
Save This Word!
See synonyms for: ethical / ethicality / ethically / ethicalness on Thesaurus.com

adjective
pertaining to or dealing with morals or the principles of morality; pertaining to right and wrong in conduct.
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.
(of drugs) sold only upon medical prescription.
QUIZ
CAN YOU ANSWER THESE COMMON GRAMMAR DEBATES?
There are grammar debates that never die; and the ones highlighted in the questions in this quiz are sure to rile everyone up once again. Do you know how to answer the questions that cause some of the greatest grammar debates?
Question 1 of 7
Which sentence is correct?

Origin of ethical

First recorded in 1600–10; ethic + -al1

OTHER WORDS FROM ethical

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use ethical in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for ethical

ethical
/ (ˈɛθɪkəl) /

adjective
in accordance with principles of conduct that are considered correct, esp those of a given profession or group
of or relating to ethics
(of a medicinal agent) available legally only with a doctor's prescription or consent

Derived forms of ethical

ethically, adverbethicalness or ethicality, noun
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
FEEDBACK