Words / B1

m-uh-RAHL/məˈrɑːl/

Morale is a group’s confidence and mood: staff morale; boost morale; low morale. Moral (next entry) is about right and wrong — a classic spelling trap. Mood is one person’s feeling; morale is often collective, especially at work. Uncountable. Do not write “a morale”. News: morale among troops / nurses.

Meaning

The confidence and cheerfulness of a person or group, especially at work.

Examples

• “Staff morale fell after the third round of cuts.”
• “Morale fell when the bonus was cancelled.”
• “The win boosted morale in the dressing room.”

Good to know

staff / low / high morale (uncountable). Mix-up: moral = right and wrong. Personal feeling: mood. Not “a morale”.

New