ethical

1 of 2

adjective

eth·​i·​cal ˈe-thi-kəl 

variants or less commonly ethic

ˈe-thik 

1

: of or relating to ethics

ethical theories

2

: involving or expressing moral approval or disapproval

ethical judgments

3

: conforming to accepted standards of conduct

ethical behavior

4

medical, of a drug : restricted to sale only with a doctor's prescription

ethicality

ˌe-thə-ˈka-lə-tē 

noun

ethically

ˈe-thi-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

ethicalness

ˈe-thi-kəl-nəs 

noun

ethicality

2 of 2

noun

eth·​i·​cal·​i·​ty ˌethəˈkalətē 

-lətē, 

-i

plural -es

: ethical quality, character, or aspect : ethical principle

Synonyms of ethical

Adjective

• honorable
• honest
• moral
• true
• nice
• good

Choose the Right Synonym for ethical

moral, ethical, virtuous, righteous, noble mean conforming to a standard of what is right and good.

moral implies conformity to established sanctioned codes or accepted notions of right and wrong.

the basic moral values of a community

ethical may suggest the involvement of more difficult or subtle questions of rightness, fairness, or equity.

committed to the highest ethical principles

virtuous implies moral excellence in character.

not a religious person, but virtuous nevertheless

righteous stresses guiltlessness or blamelessness and often suggests the sanctimonious.

wished to be righteous before God and the world

noble implies moral eminence and freedom from anything petty, mean, or dubious in conduct and character.

had the noblest of reasons for seeking office

Examples of ethical in a Sentence

Adjective

Some doctors feel that this procedure is not medically ethical.

the ethical behavior expected of every member of the police force

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

The script hides serious moral and ethical conversations about fame, political violence, and powerful institutions amongst jokes about hashbrowns. — Lorena O’Neil, Rolling Stone, 20 June 2026

Sales should be ethical and in the buyer’s best interest. — Chris John Amorosino, Hartford Courant, 20 June 2026

The winners are those organizations that obsess over customer value, empower employees, and resist financial gravity through strong mission lock and ethical governance. — Steve Denning, Forbes.com, 19 June 2026

The East Wing’s demolition and 999-seat ballroom — now projected at $600 million — are fueling legal, ethical and security fights over who pays and what protections are truly needed. — Lisa Mascaro, Los Angeles Times, 19 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Middle English etik, from Latin ethicus, from Greek ēthikos, from ēthos character — more at sib

First Known Use

Adjective

circa 1573, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

circa 1897, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing ethical

• pre-ethical

Rhymes for ethical

• unethical

Kids Definition

ethical

adjective

eth·​i·​cal ˈeth-i-kəl 

1

: of or relating to ethics

2

a

: following accepted rules of conduct

b

: following professional standards of conduct

3

: sold only on a doctor's prescription

ethical drugs

ethically

-i-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

Medical Definition

ethical

1 of 2 adjective

eth·​i·​cal ˈeth-i-kəl 

variants also ethic

-ik 

1

: conforming to accepted professional standards of conduct

2

of a drug : restricted to sale only on a doctor's prescription

ethically

ˈeth-i-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

ethical

2 of 2 noun

: an ethical drug

Legal Definition

ethical

adjective

eth·​i·​cal ˈe-thi-kəl 

1

: of or relating to ethics

2

: conforming to accepted professional standards of conduct

ethically adverb