moral
gb/mˈɔɹəl/ us/mˈɔɹəl/
B1
English
~ 2300
tanulság, erkölcsös, etikus, erkölcsi, etikai, morális
NOUN
B1
1
tanulság
B1
Usage pattern:
the moral of [a story/event]
The moral of the story is that honesty is the best policy.
A történet tanulsága az, hogy a becsületesség a legjobb út.
Every fable has a moral at the end.
Minden mesének van tanulsága a végén.
The film's moral was about the importance of friendship.
Learner examples
The moral of the story is to be kind.
A történet tanulsága az, hogy legyünk kedvesek.
This book has an important moral.
Ennek a könyvnek fontos tanulsága van.
He told a story with a clear moral.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'moral' with 'morale', which means confidence or enthusiasm.
Meaning
Lesson about right and wrong
Collocations
moral of the story
|clear moral
|strong moral
|teach a moral
Synonyms
lesson (Focuses on the teaching or takeaway without necessarily implying ethics.)
Antonyms
immorality (Refers to the absence of ethical principles, opposite of a moral lesson.)
Themes
ethics
|education
|literature
|core_vocabulary
Definition
The lesson about good and bad behavior in a story or event.
A message or lesson about what is right and wrong, often learned from a story or experience.
B2
2
Usage pattern:
[someone] is moral
She believes it is her moral duty to help the poor.
Úgy véli, erkölcsi kötelessége segíteni a szegényeken.
He is known as a highly moral person.
Úgy ismerik, mint nagyon erkölcsös embert.
The committee debated the moral implications of the decision.
Learner examples
It is not moral to lie.
Nem erkölcsös hazudni.
He made a moral choice.
Erkölcsös döntést hozott.
She is a moral person.
Meaning
Following rules of right and wrong
Collocations
moral decision
|moral duty
|moral responsibility
|moral values
Synonyms
ethical (Often used in professional or philosophical contexts.)
Antonyms
immoral (Describes behavior that breaks accepted rules of right and wrong.)
Themes
ethics
|character
|core_vocabulary
Definition
Doing what is right and good according to rules of behavior.
Behaving according to accepted standards of right and wrong.
B2
3
Usage pattern:
moral [noun]
The law should reflect the moral values of society.
A törvénynek tükröznie kell a társadalom erkölcsi értékeit.
They faced a moral dilemma during the negotiations.
A tárgyalások során erkölcsi dilemmával szembesültek.
Moral questions are often difficult to answer.
Learner examples
We talked about moral rules in class.
Az órán erkölcsi szabályokról beszélgettünk.
The story raises a moral question.
A történet erkölcsi kérdést vet fel.
He studies moral philosophy.
Meaning
Relating to ethics
Collocations
moral principles
|moral code
|moral philosophy
Synonyms
ethical (Emphasizes professional or philosophical aspects of morality.)
Antonyms
amoral (Not concerned with right or wrong; outside morality.)
Themes
ethics
|society
|core_vocabulary
|education
Definition
About what is right or wrong in how people act.
Concerning or connected with principles of right and wrong behavior.
Grammar
Dictionary form
moral
IPA
GB/mˈɔɹəl/
US/mˈɔɹəl/
Syllables & stress
mor - al (2 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (mor)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: moral
Noun
- Base: moral
- Plural: morals
Word family
Expressions
take the moral high ground
1/tˈeɪk ðə mˈɔɹəl hˈaɪ ɡɹˈaʊnd/
fixed phrase
Choose ethically superior action
To decide to act in a way that is more fair or good than others, even if it is harder.
Examples
- He took the moral high ground by refusing to cheat.
- They chose to take the moral high ground instead of attacking their critics.
the moral high ground
1/ðə mˈɔɹəl hˈaɪ ɡɹˈaʊnd/
fixed phrase
Position of ethical superiority
When someone acts in a way that seems better or more correct than others, especially in an argument or competition.
Examples
- She refused to insult her opponent, taking the moral high ground.
- By admitting his mistake, he gained the moral high ground in the debate.
the moral of the story
1/ðə mˈɔɹəl əv ðə stˈɔɹi/
fixed phrase
Main ethical lesson from story
The main lesson about good and bad behavior that you learn from a story or experience.
Examples
- The moral of the story is to never give up.
- So, the moral of the story is: don't trust strangers.