integrity
gb/ɪntˈɛɡɹɪti/ us/ɪntˈɛɡɹɪti/
B2
English
~ 5100
Senses
0 senses
Noun
B2
property
1
Honesty and strong moral principles
The quality of being honest and following strong moral rules.
Usage pattern:
[someone] has integrity
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'integrity' with 'integration' (bringing parts together) or 'integer' (a whole number). Also, use 'have integrity' or 'act with integrity', not 'be integrity'.
Synonyms
honesty (Plain, everyday term; slightly broader and less formal.)
|
probity (Formal; stresses proven uprightness in public or professional life.)
|
uprightness (Slightly formal; emphasizes moral correctness of character.)
|
rectitude (Formal/literary; stresses strict moral correctness.)
Antonyms
dishonesty (General opposite; lack of truthfulness or fairness.)
|
corruption (Abuse of power for personal gain; opposite in public/professional contexts.)
|
hypocrisy (Pretending to have good morals while acting otherwise.)
Collocations
personal integrity
|act with integrity
|a person of integrity
|maintain one's integrity
|question someone's integrity
|professional integrity
Themes
ethics
|business
|daily life
|society
|relationships
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- Even under pressure, she chose integrity over convenience.
- The company promotes a culture of integrity in all dealings.
- His integrity was evident when he admitted the mistake and fixed it.
- Voters say they want leaders with integrity, not just charisma.
Learner examples
- People trust her because she has integrity.
- He acted with integrity and told the truth.
- The manager values integrity in the team.
- Having integrity means you do the right thing.
Noun
formal
C1
state
2
Being whole and unimpaired
The state of something being whole and not damaged or changed.
Usage pattern:
the integrity of [something]
Common mistake:
Do not say 'integrity to' or 'integrity for' when you mean wholeness. Use 'the integrity of [something]'.
Synonyms
wholeness (General term for being complete.)
|
unity (Focuses on undivided condition, often for groups or territory.)
|
soundness (Emphasizes being solid and free from damage.)
Antonyms
fragmentation (Breaking into parts; loss of unity.)
|
breach (A break or violation that compromises wholeness.)
|
disintegration (Process of falling apart or losing cohesion.)
Collocations
preserve the integrity of
|maintain the integrity of
|protect the integrity of
|compromise the integrity of
|territorial integrity
|system integrity
Themes
politics
|security
|science
|technology
|core_vocabulary
|health
Examples
- The treaty affirms the country's territorial integrity.
- Frequent edits can compromise the integrity of the original document.
- The seal maintains the container's integrity during shipping.
Learner examples
- We must protect the integrity of the system.
- The flood damaged the bridge’s integrity.
- The law respects the nation’s territorial integrity.
Noun
technical
C1
state
3
Accuracy and consistency of data
A state where data is correct, consistent, and not changed by mistake or by an attacker.
Usage pattern:
ensure the integrity of [data]
Common mistake:
Learners may use 'secure data' when they mean 'preserve data integrity'. Security also includes confidentiality and availability; integrity is specifically about correctness and consistency.
Synonyms
accuracy (Focuses on being correct, not necessarily consistent over time.)
|
consistency (Focuses on data not conflicting across records or time.)
|
trustworthiness (Emphasizes reliability of data for decisions.)
Antonyms
corruption (Data altered or damaged, intentionally or accidentally.)
|
tampering (Unauthorized changes to data.)
|
errors (Mistakes that reduce correctness and consistency.)
Collocations
ensure data integrity
|data integrity checks
|maintain database integrity
|integrity constraints
|verify data integrity
|referential integrity
Themes
technology
|security
|business
|science
Examples
- We added checksums to ensure data integrity during transfer.
- Audit logs help verify the integrity of patient records.
- The database enforces referential integrity across tables.
Learner examples
- Backups protect the integrity of the files.
- Use hashing to check data integrity.
- These rules keep the database integrity strong.
Noun
technical
C1
property
4
Soundness of a structure under load
The strength and safety of a building or object so it does not fail under weight or stress.
Usage pattern:
structural integrity of [something]
Common mistake:
Do not use 'integrated' to mean 'having integrity'. Say 'structural integrity', not 'structure integrity'.
Synonyms
soundness (General engineering term for being solid and safe.)
|
stability (Focuses on resistance to tipping or collapsing.)
|
robustness (Emphasizes strength under varied conditions.)
Antonyms
failure (Loss of ability to carry load.)
|
collapse (Sudden failure of a structure.)
|
weakness (Insufficient strength to perform safely.)
Collocations
structural integrity
|maintain structural integrity
|loss of structural integrity
|compromise the integrity of [structure]
|structural integrity test
|integrity assessment
Themes
engineering
|safety
|construction
|science
|technology
Examples
- Inspectors questioned the structural integrity of the bridge after the quake.
- Adding a new opening could compromise the wall’s integrity.
- Heat damage led to a loss of structural integrity in the aircraft skin.
Learner examples
- Engineers tested the building’s structural integrity.
- Rust can reduce the integrity of the metal frame.
- The tower kept its integrity during the storm.
Grammar
Dictionary form
integrity
IPA
GB/ɪntˈɛɡɹɪti/
US/ɪntˈɛɡɹɪti/
Syllables & stress
in - teg - rity (3 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (teg)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: integrity
- Plural: integrities, integrity
Word family
Forms
integrities
noun
Core family
Related words
integrated
adjective B2
Negative and opposite forms
disintegrate
verb
disintegration
noun
Advanced or less common
integrative
adjective
integrally
adverb
Expressions
a person of integrity
1/ə pˈɚsən əv ɪntˈɛɡɹɪti/
fixed phrase
Morally upright person
Someone who is honest and follows strong moral rules.
Examples
- Everyone says the judge is a person of integrity.
- I want to work for leaders who are people of integrity.
act with integrity
1/ˈækt wˈɪθ ɪntˈɛɡɹɪti/
fixed phrase
Behave according to principles
To do the right thing and be honest, even when it is hard.
Examples
- She acted with integrity and reported the error.
- Managers must act with integrity when handling complaints.
artistic integrity
1/ɑɹtˈɪstɪk ɪntˈɛɡɹɪti/
fixed phrase
Commitment to artistic principles
Staying true to your art and not changing it just for money or fame.
Examples
- The director chose a smaller budget to keep her artistic integrity.
- He worries that sponsorship could hurt their artistic integrity.
data integrity
1/dˈætə ɪntˈɛɡɹɪti/
fixed phrase
technical
Correct and consistent data
Data that stays correct and consistent and is not changed by mistake or attack.
Examples
- Checksums help ensure data integrity during transmission.
- We audit logs regularly to protect data integrity.
journalistic integrity
1/d͡ʒˌɚnəlˈɪstɪk ɪntˈɛɡɹɪti/
fixed phrase
formal
Ethics and truth in journalism
Following truth and ethical rules when reporting news.
Examples
- The paper’s journalistic integrity was questioned after the retraction.
- Editors defended their journalistic integrity during the trial.
maintain the integrity of
1/meɪntˈeɪn ðə ɪntˈɛɡɹɪti əv/
fixed phrase
formal
Keep something whole
To keep something complete and not damaged or changed.
Examples
- The new policy aims to maintain the integrity of the process.
- Use tamper-evident seals to maintain the integrity of the samples.
professional integrity
1/pɹəfˈɛʃənəl ɪntˈɛɡɹɪti/
fixed phrase
formal
Ethical standards at work
Strong moral behavior in your job or profession.
Examples
- She refused the gift to protect her professional integrity.
- Professional integrity is essential in healthcare.
question someone's integrity
1/kwˈɛst͡ʃən sˈʌmwˌʌnz ɪntˈɛɡɹɪti/
fixed phrase
Doubt someone's honesty
To say or think that a person may not be honest or moral.
Examples
- The report does not question her integrity.
- He was angry that they questioned his integrity in public.
structural integrity
1/stɹˈʌkt͡ʃɚəl ɪntˈɛɡɹɪti/
fixed phrase
technical
strength and safety of a structure
The strength that keeps a building or object standing and safe.
Examples
- Engineers tested the bridge's structural integrity before reopening it.
- Engineers assessed the bridge’s structural integrity.
- Poor materials can weaken a building's structural integrity.
- High temperatures can reduce structural integrity.
territorial integrity
1/tˌɛɹɪtˈɔɹiəl ɪntˈɛɡɹɪti/
fixed phrase
formal
protection of a state’s borders
The idea that a country’s land and borders should stay whole and not be changed or taken by another country.
Examples
- The resolution reaffirms the country’s territorial integrity.
- The government insisted that its territorial integrity must be respected.
- They argued the plan violates territorial integrity.
- The peace agreement guarantees the territorial integrity of all neighboring states.