mores

American  

[mawr-eyz, -eez, mohr-] / ˈmɔr eɪz, -iz, ˈmoʊr- /

plural noun

Sociology.

1. folkways of central importance accepted without question and embodying the fundamental moral views of a group.

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mores British  

/ ˈmɔːreɪz /

plural noun

1. sociol the customs and conventions embodying the fundamental values of a group or society

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mores Cultural  

1. The customs and manners of a social group or culture. Mores often serve as moral guidelines for acceptable behavior but are not necessarily religious or ethical.

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Etymology

Origin of mores

1905–10; < Latin mōres, plural of mōs usage, custom

Compare meaning

How does mores compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• mores vs. folkways

Example Sentences

Their ability to enact change depended on their willingness to defy current custom and mores.

From Salon • Mar. 28, 2026

Wind-swept Catherine is as constrained by societal mores as geographic ones.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 11, 2026

It is deeply corrosive of personal mores and social trust.

From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 27, 2025

Greenland’s social environment is also different from Denmark’s — its Indigenous population, which has its own social mores, is larger as a proportion of the population, and residents are concentrated in the giant island’s southwest.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 2, 2025

Most times, many tribal women questioned her sanity in daring to question well-established mores.

From "Kaffir Boy: An Autobiography" by Mark Mathabane