ethical

[eth-i-kuhl]

adjective

1. pertaining to or dealing with morals or the principles of morality; pertaining to right and wrong in conduct.

2. being in accordance with the rules or standards for right conduct or practice, especially the standards of a profession.

   It was not considered ethical for physicians to advertise.

   Synonyms: honorable, virtuous, righteous, honest, upright, moral
   Antonyms: immoral

3. (of drugs) sold only upon medical prescription.

ethical

/ ˈɛθɪkəl /

adjective

1. in accordance with principles of conduct that are considered correct, esp those of a given profession or group

2. of or relating to ethics

3. (of a medicinal agent) available legally only with a doctor's prescription or consent

Other Word Forms

• ethically adverb
• ethicalness noun
• ethicality noun
• hyperethical adjective
• nonethical adjective
• pseudoethical adjective
• superethical adjective
• unethical adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of ethical¹

First recorded in 1600–10; ethic + -al ¹

Example Sentences

Paetongtarn Shinawatra, who belongs to Thailand's most powerful political dynasty, was removed by the constitutional court last week for ethical violations over her handling of the border dispute with Cambodia.

From BBC

The corollary to Joe Francis’ assertion that “people want to buy naked women” is that buyers these days seem to care less and less about ethical sourcing and the enthusiastic participation of sellers.

From Salon

For now, it’s the courts and ethical, mid-level commanders like Sherman, whose common-sense bravery and decency kept the military out of MacArthur Park.

From Los Angeles Times

Some of those firms are broadly respected, and claim to follow rigorous ethical guidelines.

From BBC

On Friday, the court's nine judges voted six to three against Paetongtarn, ruling that her actions had violated ethical standards expected of her office.

From BBC

Related Words

• good 
• honest 
• honorable 
• humane 
• moral 
• principled 
• proper 
• virtuous