Entry Word: ethical

Function: adjective

Meaning: 1 conforming to a high standard of morality or virtue <the ethical behavior expected of every member of the police force> — see good 2
2 following the accepted rules of moral conduct <the ethical course of action for the senator who lied to congress would be to resign> — see honorable 1
3 guided by or in accordance with oneʼs sense of right and wrong <ethical writers do not use the words of other writers without giving them proper credit> — see conscientious 1