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

He says that the “sorting mechanisms” of dating apps undervalue what matters in a potential partner: work ethic, the ability to weather hard times and the character of one’s family.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jul. 1, 2026

And former British number one Kyle Edmund says that while his parents were not pushy, they did push him to improve things like attitude and work ethic.

From BBC • Jun. 26, 2026

Chicago gave credit to Parazaider for conceiving of the band’s distinct instrumentation, and the work ethic that made them stars.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 17, 2026

For decades, she’s cultivated an image built around relentless work ethic, optimism and early mornings spent turning ideas into reality.

From Salon • Jun. 15, 2026

Morgan admired Sturtevant for his discipline and his work ethic.

From "The Gene" by Siddhartha Mukherjee