Words / C1

ETH-ik/ˈeθɪk/

Ethic often appears in the phrase a work ethic (a habit of taking work seriously). Ethics (usually plural) are moral principles about right and wrong, or the academic subject. Native writers say professional ethics, ethical guidelines. Ethic as a countable noun can also mean a moral system: a care ethic. Ethical is the adjective. Ethnic (people and culture) is a different word.

Meaning

A system of moral principles; ethics are ideas about right and wrong.

Examples

• “A strong work ethic helped her succeed.”
• “The lab’s ethic is to share data as soon as it is clean.”
• “Business ethics require them to declare the conflict of interest.”

Good to know

a work ethic. ethics = moral principles (usually plural). adjective: ethical. Not ethnic.

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