ethical
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Related to ethical: Ethical issues
eth·i·cal
(ĕth′ĭ-kəl)adj.
1. Of, relating to, or dealing with ethics: an ethical treatise.
2. Being in accordance with the accepted principles of right and wrong that govern the conduct of a profession: an ethical act. See Synonyms at moral.
3. Relating to or being a drug dispensed solely on the prescription of a physician.
eth′i·cal·ly adv.
eth′i·cal·ness, eth′i·cal′i·ty (-kăl′ĭ-tē) n.
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
ethical
(ˈɛθɪkəl)adj
1. in accordance with principles of conduct that are considered correct, esp those of a given profession or group
2. (Philosophy) of or relating to ethics
3. (Medicine) (of a medicinal agent) available legally only with a doctor's prescription or consent
ˈethically adv
ˈethicalness, ˌethiˈcality n
Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014
eth•i•cal
(ˈɛθ ɪ kəl)adj.
1. pertaining to or dealing with morals or the principles of morality; pertaining to ethics.
2. being in accordance with the rules or standards for right conduct or practice, esp. the standards of a profession.
3. (of drugs) sold only upon prescription.
[1600–10]
eth′i•cal•ly, adv.
eth′i•cal•ness, eth`i•cal′i•ty, n.
Random House Kernerman Webster's College Dictionary, © 2010 K Dictionaries Ltd. Copyright 2005, 1997, 1991 by Random House, Inc. All rights reserved.
ethic
– ethics – ethical1. 'ethic'
A particular ethic is an idea or moral belief that influences the behaviour and attitudes of a group of people.
...the ethic of public service.
...the Protestant work ethic.
2. 'ethics'
Ethics are moral beliefs and rules about right and wrong. When you use ethics with this meaning, it is a plural noun. You use a plural form of a verb with it.
Such action was a violation of medical ethics.
Ethics is also the study of questions about what is morally right or wrong. When ethics has this meaning, it is an uncount noun. You use a singular form of a verb with it.
We are only too ready to believe that ethics is a field where thinking does no good.
3. 'ethical'
Ethic is never an adjective. The adjective that means 'relating to ethics' is ethical.
...an ethical problem.
He had no real ethical objection to drinking.
Collins COBUILD English Usage © HarperCollins Publishers 1992, 2004, 2011, 2012
ThesaurusAntonymsRelated WordsSynonymsLegend:
Switch to new thesaurus
| Adj. | 1. | ethical - of or relating to the philosophical study of ethics; "ethical codes"; "ethical theories" |
| 2. | ethical - conforming to accepted standards of social or professional behavior; "an ethical lawyer"; "ethical medical practice"; "an ethical problem"; "had no ethical objection to drinking"; "Ours is a world of nuclear giants and ethical infants"- Omar N. Bradley right - in conformance with justice or law or morality; "do the right thing and confess" unethical - not conforming to approved standards of social or professional behavior; "unethical business practices" | |
| 3. | ethical - adhering to ethical and moral principles; "it seems ethical and right"; "followed the only honorable course of action" right - in conformance with justice or law or morality; "do the right thing and confess" |
Based on WordNet 3.0, Farlex clipart collection. © 2003-2012 Princeton University, Farlex Inc.
ethical
adjective
1. moral, behavioural the ethical dilemmas of genetic engineering
2. right, morally right, morally acceptable, good, just, fitting, fair, responsible, principled, correct, decent, proper, upright, honourable, honest, righteous, virtuous Would it be ethical to lie to save a person's life?
right unfair, indecent, improper, immoral, unscrupulous, low-down (informal), unethical, unseemly, disreputable, underhand, dishonourable, not cricket (informal)
right unfair, indecent, improper, immoral, unscrupulous, low-down (informal), unethical, unseemly, disreputable, underhand, dishonourable, not cricket (informal)
Collins Thesaurus of the English Language – Complete and Unabridged 2nd Edition. 2002 © HarperCollins Publishers 1995, 2002
ethical
adjectiveIn accordance with principles of right or good conduct:
The American Heritage® Roget's Thesaurus. Copyright © 2013, 2014 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
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Spanish / Español
Collins Spanish Dictionary - Complete and Unabridged 8th Edition 2005 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1971, 1988 © HarperCollins Publishers 1992, 1993, 1996, 1997, 2000, 2003, 2005
ethics
(ˈeθiks) noun singular the study or the science of morals. ética
noun plural rules or principles of behaviour. ética
ˈethical adjective1. of or concerning morals, justice or duty. ético
2. (negative unethical) morally right. ético
ˈethically adverb éticamente, moralmente
Kernerman English Multilingual Dictionary © 2006-2013 K Dictionaries Ltd.
ethical
→ éticoMultilingual Translator © HarperCollins Publishers 2009
ethical
adj éticoEnglish-Spanish/Spanish-English Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2006 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.