ethical

[eth-i-kuhl]

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.

ethical

/ 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

Other Word Forms

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of ethical¹

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

Example Sentences

You can email The Moneyist with any financial and ethical questions at [email protected].

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You can email The Moneyist with any financial and ethical questions at [email protected].

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A 2023 study of 21 companies that offer direct-to-consumer tests cautioned that the trend raises ethical issues, including the use of personal data and the potential lack of follow-up for abnormal results.

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Pushing ethical and legal boundaries is as old as the Republic and going strong.

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Physical health can’t advance without equal attention to emotional, ethical and economic health.

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Related Words

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