ethic

UK: /ˈɛθɪk/ US: /ˈɛθɪk/ ,(eth′ik)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

eth•ic /ˈɛθɪk/   n. [countable* singular]

1. Anthropology, Philosophy all the moral principles or values that are held by a culture, group, or individual, including concepts of right and wrong, rules of conduct, or the like:
   a personal work ethic.

See ethics.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

eth•ic  (eth′ik), n. 

1. Anthropology, Philosophy the body of moral principles or values governing or distinctive of a particular culture or group:
   the Christian ethic; the tribal ethic of the Zuni.
2. Anthropology, Philosophy a complex of moral precepts held or rules of conduct followed by an individual:
   a personal ethic.

• Greek ēthikós, equivalent. to êth(os) ethos + -ikos -ic
• Latin ēthicus
• Middle English ethic, etic 1350–1400

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

ethic / ˈɛθɪk/ noun

1. a moral principle or set of moral values held by an individual or group: the Puritan ethic

adjective

1. another word for ethical

Etymology: 15th Century: from Latin ēthicus, from Greek ēthikos, from ēthos custom; see ethos