moral
gb/mˈɔɹəl/ us/mˈɔɹəl/
B1
English
~ 2300
Senses
0 senses
Noun
B1
entity
1
Lesson about right and wrong
The lesson about good and bad behavior in a story or event.
Usage pattern:
the moral of [a story/event]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'moral' with 'morale', which means confidence or enthusiasm.
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.)
Collocations
moral of the story
|clear moral
|strong moral
|teach a moral
Themes
ethics
|education
|literature
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The moral of the story is that honesty is the best policy.
- Every fable has a moral at the end.
- The film's moral was about the importance of friendship.
Learner examples
- The moral of the story is to be kind.
- This book has an important moral.
- He told a story with a clear moral.
adjective
B2
property
2
Following rules of right and wrong
Doing what is right and good according to rules of behavior.
Usage pattern:
[someone] is moral
Synonyms
ethical (Often used in professional or philosophical contexts.)
Antonyms
immoral (Describes behavior that breaks accepted rules of right and wrong.)
Collocations
moral decision
|moral duty
|moral responsibility
|moral values
Themes
ethics
|character
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- She believes it is her moral duty to help the poor.
- He is known as a highly moral person.
- The committee debated the moral implications of the decision.
Learner examples
- It is not moral to lie.
- He made a moral choice.
- She is a moral person.
adjective
B2
property
3
Relating to ethics
About what is right or wrong in how people act.
Usage pattern:
moral [noun]
Synonyms
ethical (Emphasizes professional or philosophical aspects of morality.)
Antonyms
amoral (Not concerned with right or wrong; outside morality.)
Collocations
moral principles
|moral code
|moral philosophy
Themes
ethics
|society
|core_vocabulary
|education
Examples
- The law should reflect the moral values of society.
- They faced a moral dilemma during the negotiations.
- Moral questions are often difficult to answer.
Learner examples
- We talked about moral rules in class.
- The story raises a moral question.
- He studies moral philosophy.
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.