morality play

noun

1

: an allegorical play popular especially in the 15th and 16th centuries in which the characters personify abstract qualities or concepts (such as virtues, vices, or death)

2

: something (such as a court trial) which involves a direct conflict between right and wrong or good and evil and from which a moral lesson may be drawn

Examples of morality play in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

That notion flattens a complex record and turns history into a morality play of angels and demons. — Foreign Affairs, 18 Aug. 2026

Ben-Ghiat’s comparative work on fascism does not function as a morality play either. — Literary Hub, 23 July 2026

The stories are grounded in morality plays and Matt has really tried to use that. — Marta Balaga, Variety, 10 July 2026

Every policy debate becomes a morality play. — Christopher Keating, Hartford Courant, 2 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1866, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for morality play

• cyperaceae
• immunoassay
• rubiaceae
• umbelliferae
• aaa
• alleyway
• alumnae
• anime
• anyway
• arete
• attache
• axillae

Kids Definition

morality play

noun

: a type of play popular especially in the 15th and 16th centuries in which the characters stand for moral qualities (as virtue or vice) or conditions (as death)