Morality is the belief that some behaviour is right and acceptable and that other behaviour is wrong.
...standards of morality and justice in society.
...an effort to preserve traditional morality.
Synonyms: virtue, justice, principles, morals More Synonyms of morality
2. countable noun
A morality is a system of principles and values concerning people's behaviour, which is generally accepted by a society or by a particular group of people.
...a morality that is sexist.
...communities and their shared moralities.
3. uncountable noun
Themoralityof something is how right or acceptable it is.
...the arguments about the morality of blood sports. [+ of]
Synonyms: rights and wrongs, ethics, ethicality, ethicalness More Synonyms of morality
More Synonyms of morality
morality in British English
(məˈrælɪtɪ)
nounWord forms: plural-ties
1.
the quality of being moral
2.
conformity, or degree of conformity, to conventional standards of moral conduct
3.
a system of moral principles
4.
an instruction or lesson in morals
5. short for morality play
morality in American English
(moʊˈrælɪti; mɔˈrælɪti; məˈrælɪti)
nounWord forms: pluralmoˈralities
1.
moral quality or character; rightness or wrongness, as of an action
2.
the character of being in accord with the principles or standards of right conduct; right conduct; sometimes, specif., virtue in sexual conduct
3.
principles of right and wrong in conduct; ethics
4.
a particular system of such principles
5.
moral instruction or a moral lesson
6.
a narrative with a moral lesson
7.
morality play
Word origin
ME moralite < OFr < LL moralitas < L moralis
COBUILD Collocations
morality
conventional morality
Examples of 'morality' in a sentence
morality
So the play becomes a fine old-fashioned morality tale about an agonising dilemma.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
We must remember biblical stories are not morality plays where good and evil are obvious.
Christianity Today (2000)
The police extended their former role in enforcing religious observance and conventional morality.
Blinkhorn, Martin (ed) Fascists and Conservatives (1990)
It is a morality tale for all clubs.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
It is a breach of all morality and staff conduct.
The Sun (2009)
It was a powerful lesson in the morality of sport.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
They see them as a threat to public morality.
The Sun (2012)
But economics is not a morality play.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
His rise and ruin is a familiar morality tale of those consumed by ambition and greed.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
Public morality is rarely invoked in trade disputes.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
So much for the morality play.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
The status of the world's women is not only a matter of morality and justice.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
You can't take lessons in morality from people who disgust you.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
This is a book about morality and society and history, and how our reading of history changes though the past is fixed.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
Quotations
Morality is the herd-instinct in the individualFriedrich NietzscheDie fröhliche Wissenschaft
Morality is a private and costly luxuryHenry Brooks AdamsThe Education of Henry Adams
One becomes moral as soon as one is unhappyMarcel ProustWithin a Budding Grove
Morality comes with the sad wisdom of age, when the sense of curiosity has witheredGraham GreeneA Sort of Life
In other languages
morality
British English: morality NOUN
Morality is the belief that some behaviour is right and acceptable and that other behaviour is wrong.
...standards of morality and justice in society.
American English: morality
Brazilian Portuguese: moralidade
Chinese: 道德观念
European Spanish: moralidad
French: moralité
German: Moral
Italian: moralità
Japanese: 道徳
Korean: 도덕
European Portuguese: moralidade
Latin American Spanish: moralidad
Definition of 'morality'
Chinese translation of 'morality'
morality
(məˈrælɪtɪ)
n
(u) (= ethics) 道德伦(倫)理 (dàodé lúnlǐ)
(c) (= system of morals) 道德观(觀) (dàodéguān)
(u)[of something]道德性 (dàodéxìng)
1 (noun)
Definition
good moral conduct
an effort to preserve traditional morality
Synonyms
virtue
His mother was held up to the family as a paragon of virtue.
justice
There is no justice in this world!
principles
morals
honour
I can no longer serve with honour as a member of your government.
integrity
I have always regarded him as a man of integrity.
goodness
He retains his faith in human goodness.
honesty
It's time for complete honesty from political representatives.
purity
The American Female Reform Society promoted sexual purity.
decency
fair play
righteousness
adopting a tone of moral righteousness
good behaviour
propriety
Their sense of social propriety is eroded.
chastity
I took a vow of chastity and celibacy when I became a priest.
probity (formal)
a woman renowned for her moral probity
rectitude
people of the utmost rectitude
rightness
uprightness
a contest in which courage and uprightness win through
2 (noun)
Definition
a system of moral principles
aspects of Christian morality
Synonyms
ethics
conduct
principles
ideals
morals
manners
habits
philosophy
mores
moral code
3 (noun)
Definition
the degree to which something is morally acceptable
the morality of blood sports
Synonyms
rights and wrongs
ethics
ethicality
ethicalness
Quotations
Morality is the herd-instinct in the individual [Friedrich Nietzsche – Die fröhliche Wissenschaft]Morality is a private and costly luxury [Henry Brooks Adams – The Education of Henry Adams]One becomes moral as soon as one is unhappy [Marcel Proust – Within a Budding Grove]Morality comes with the sad wisdom of age, when the sense of curiosity has withered [Graham Greene – A Sort of Life]
Additional synonyms
in the sense of chastity
I took a vow of chastity and celibacy when I became a priest.
Synonyms
purity,
virtue,
innocence,
modesty,
virginity,
celibacy,
continence,
maidenhood
in the sense of goodness
Definition
the quality of being good
He retains his faith in human goodness.
Synonyms
virtue,
honour,
merit,
integrity,
morality,
honesty,
righteousness,
probity (formal),
rectitude,
uprightness
in the sense of honesty
Definition
the quality of being truthful and trustworthy
It's time for complete honesty from political representatives.
Synonyms
integrity,
honour,
virtue,
morality,
fidelity,
probity (formal),
rectitude,
veracity,
faithfulness,
truthfulness,
trustworthiness,
straightness,
incorruptibility,
scrupulousness,
uprightness,
reputability
Synonyms of 'morality'
morality
Explore 'morality' in the dictionary
Additional synonyms
in the sense of honour
Definition
allegiance to moral principles
I can no longer serve with honour as a member of your government.
Synonyms
integrity,
principles,
morality,
honesty,
goodness,
fairness,
decency,
righteousness,
probity (formal),
rectitude,
trustworthiness,
uprightness
in the sense of integrity
Definition
honesty
I have always regarded him as a man of integrity.
Synonyms
honesty,
principle,
honour,
virtue,
goodness,
morality,
purity,
righteousness,
probity (formal),
rectitude,
truthfulness,
trustworthiness,
incorruptibility,
uprightness,
scrupulousness,
reputability
in the sense of justice
Definition
the quality of being just
There is no justice in this world!
Synonyms
fairness,
equity,
integrity,
honesty,
decency,
impartiality,
rectitude,
reasonableness,
uprightness,
justness,
rightfulness,
right
in the sense of probity
Definition
honesty
a woman renowned for her moral probity
Synonyms
integrity,
worth,
justice,
honour,
equity,
virtue,
goodness,
morality,
honesty,
fairness,
fidelity,
sincerity,
righteousness,
rectitude,
truthfulness,
trustworthiness,
uprightness
in the sense of propriety
Definition
correct conduct
Their sense of social propriety is eroded.
Synonyms
decorum,
manners,
courtesy,
protocol,
good form,
decency,
breeding,
delicacy,
modesty,
respectability,
etiquette,
refinement,
politeness,
good manners,
rectitude,
punctilio,
seemliness
in the sense of purity
The American Female Reform Society promoted sexual purity.
Synonyms
innocence,
virtue,
integrity,
honesty,
decency,
sincerity,
virginity,
piety,
chastity,
rectitude,
guilelessness,
virtuousness,
chasteness,
blamelessness
in the sense of rectitude
Definition
moral or religious correctness
people of the utmost rectitude
Synonyms
morality,
principle,
honour,
virtue,
decency,
justice,
equity,
integrity,
goodness,
honesty,
correctness,
righteousness,
probity (formal),
incorruptibility,
scrupulousness,
uprightness
in the sense of righteousness
adopting a tone of moral righteousness
Synonyms
virtue,
justice,
honour,
equity,
integrity,
goodness,
morality,
honesty,
purity,
probity (formal),
rectitude,
faithfulness,
uprightness,
blamelessness,
ethicalness
in the sense of uprightness
a contest in which courage and uprightness win through