ethos
gb/ˈiθɑs/ us/ˈiθɑs/
C1
English
szellemiség, életelv, hitvallás, éthosz
NOUN
C1
FORMAL
1
szellemiség
C1
Usage pattern:
the ethos of [group/organization/place]
The company’s ethos stresses transparency and long-term trust.
A cég szellemisége az átláthatóságot és a hosszú távú bizalmat helyezi előtérbe.
The school has an ethos of respect, where students are encouraged to support one another.
Az iskolát a tisztelet szellemisége jellemzi, ahol a diákokat arra bátorítják, hogy támogassák egymást.
Volunteering is part of the town’s ethos, not just an occasional activity.
Learner examples
Our team’s ethos is to help each other.
A csapatunk szellemisége az, hogy segítsük egymást.
The company has a friendly ethos.
A céget barátságos szellemiség jellemzi.
Common mistake:
Often confused with ethics (rules about right and wrong); ethos is the spirit/values of a group, not a set of rules.
Meaning
shared values of a group
Collocations
company ethos
|corporate ethos
|school ethos
|team ethos
|national ethos
|democratic ethos
|community ethos
|military ethos
|inclusive ethos
|the ethos of the organization
Synonyms
culture (Often broader, including habits and everyday practices as well as values.)
|
spirit (More informal and less precise; focuses on general feeling or attitude.)
|
character (Emphasizes distinctive qualities, not necessarily values.)
Antonyms
amorality (The absence of moral values or concern, the opposite of a value-guided culture.)
Themes
society
|culture
|business
|education
Definition
the shared beliefs and values of a group
The characteristic set of values, attitudes, and beliefs that guides a community, organization, or society.
NOUN
C1
FORMAL
2
Usage pattern:
[someone]'s ethos
Her ethos is simple: do the work well and treat people kindly.
Az ő életelve egyszerű: végezd jól a munkád, és bánj kedvesen az emberekkel.
He built his career around an ethos of public service.
Pályáját a közszolgálat eszméjére építette.
Their leadership ethos favors collaboration over competition.
Learner examples
His ethos is honesty.
Az ő életelve a becsületesség.
My ethos is to work hard.
Az én életelvem az, hogy keményen dolgozzak.
Common mistake:
Learners may try to use ethos for a single belief; it usually refers to a broader set of guiding ideals.
Meaning
a person's guiding values
Collocations
personal ethos
|professional ethos
|his ethos
|her ethos
|live by an ethos
|an ethos of service
|an ethos of fairness
|a pragmatic ethos
Synonyms
credo (Often a stated belief or motto, sometimes religious or official.)
|
philosophy (Can be broader and less tied to moral character; often used in business or parenting (e.g., a teaching philosophy).)
|
principles (More clearly about rules or standards for behavior.)
Antonyms
cynicism (A distrustful attitude that often rejects idealistic guiding values.)
Themes
people
|values
|lifestyle
Definition
a person's main values and beliefs
A person’s guiding beliefs or ideals, especially about how to live or behave.
NOUN
C2
TECHNICAL
3
éthosz
C2
Usage pattern:
appeal to ethos; establish ethos
She established ethos by citing her years of experience in the field.
Az éthoszt azzal alapozta meg, hogy a területen szerzett többéves tapasztalatára hivatkozott.
The speech relied heavily on ethos, presenting the speaker as a careful and honest leader.
A beszéd erősen az éthoszra épült, a szónokot megfontolt és becsületes vezetőként mutatva be.
If the audience doubts your integrity, your ethos collapses.
Learner examples
Ethos means credibility in a speech.
Az éthosz a beszédben a hitelességet jelenti.
Common mistake:
In rhetoric, ethos is not the same as ethics; it means credibility, not moral rules.
Meaning
credibility in persuasion
Collocations
appeal to ethos
|establish ethos
|build ethos
|ethos-based argument
|rhetorical ethos
|speaker's ethos
|lack ethos
|ethos in rhetoric
Synonyms
credibility (A general word for being believed; ethos is the rhetorical use of credibility.)
|
authority (Focuses on expertise or status rather than character.)
Antonyms
untrustworthiness (The lack of credibility that undermines an ethos-based appeal.)
Themes
communication
|education
Definition
persuasion by showing you are trustworthy
In rhetoric, the appeal to an audience based on the speaker’s credibility, character, or authority.
NOUN
C2
FORMAL
4
szellemiség
C1
Usage pattern:
the ethos of [work/era/genre]
The film captures the optimistic ethos of the postwar years.
A film jól megragadja a háború utáni évek optimista szellemiségét.
Her essays share an ethos of curiosity and quiet skepticism.
Esszéit a kíváncsiság és a csendes szkepszis közös szellemisége jellemzi.
The gallery’s minimalist design matches the ethos of the exhibition.
Learner examples
The book has a hopeful ethos.
A könyvet reményteli szellemiség hatja át.
Common mistake:
Often interchangeable with tone or atmosphere, but ethos usually suggests deeper values and worldview, not just surface feeling.
Meaning
distinctive spirit of a work
Collocations
the ethos of the novel
|the ethos of the era
|the ethos of the movement
|the ethos of the genre
|capture the ethos
|reflect the ethos
|a romantic ethos
|a modernist ethos
Synonyms
atmosphere (More about the feeling a work creates, less about underlying values.)
|
tone (More specific to the writer’s attitude in language or style.)
Antonyms
incongruity (A lack of a consistent character or spirit.)
Themes
arts
|history
|culture
Definition
the special spirit or character of something
The distinctive spirit, mood, or underlying character of a piece of writing, art, or a historical period.
Grammar
Dictionary form
ethos
IPA
GB/ˈiθɑs/
US/ˈiθɑs/
Syllables & stress
eth - os (2 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (eth)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: ethos
Word family
Expressions
ethos, pathos, and logos
1/ˈiθɑs | pˈeɪθɑs | ˈænd lˈoʊɡoʊz/
fixed phrase
technical
three classical persuasive appeals
three ways to persuade: trust, emotion, logic
Examples
- In class we analyzed the advertisement using ethos, pathos, and logos.
- The campaign leaned on pathos more than logos, but it also tried to build ethos through expert endorsements.
- Learning ethos, pathos, and logos helped her write stronger arguments.
Learner examples
- Ethos, pathos, and logos are used in persuasion.