work ethic

American  

[wurk eth-ik] / ˈwɜrk ˌɛθ ɪk /

noun

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

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work ethic British  

noun

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

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Etymology

Origin of work ethic

First recorded in 1950–55

Example Sentences

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 • Mar. 26, 2026

Tech billionaires looking to burnish their image seem to believe that the work ethic is an expendable feature of a free-market society.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 24, 2026

The Wales back three were prominent with Josh Adams and Rees-Zammit dangerous with ball in hand, while Mee demonstrated a tireless work ethic in arguably his finest game for Wales.

From BBC • Mar. 14, 2026

So too is a work ethic peers often describe as relentless, paired with a preternatural optimism that keeps him pushing through setbacks.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 9, 2026

Helm was a humble man who brought to Bush Hill three enduring qualities—an established work ethic, an endless supply of kindness, and an indomitable spiritual courage.

From "An American Plague: The True and Terrifying Story of the Yellow Fever Epidemic of 1793" by Jim Murphy