ethos
noun
ˈē-ˌthäs 
: the distinguishing character, sentiment, moral nature, or guiding beliefs of a person, group, or institution
also : ethic sense 1d
Did you know?
Ethos means "custom" or "character" in Greek. As originally used by Aristotle, it referred to a man's character or personality, especially in its balance between passion and caution. Today ethos is used to refer to the practices or values that distinguish one person, organization, or society from others. So we often hear of the ethos of rugged individualism and self-sufficiency on the American frontier in the 19th century; and a critic might complain about, for example, the ethos of violence in the inner cities or the ethos of permissiveness in the suburbs.
Synonyms
- ethics
- morality
- morals
- norms
- principles
- standards
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
The company made environmental awareness part of its business ethos. They are working to keep a democratic ethos alive in the community.
Recent Examples on the Web That seems to be the ethos of several artists in this show, which features deeply personal art. 
Kelsey Ables, Washington Post, 31 Aug. 2022 Which, in a way, is perhaps also the ethos of the contemporary art museum itself. Elise Taylor, Vogue, 9 Aug. 2022 Disruption is an ethos for the bored, for people who live in reasonable climates and don't have tanks in the street. Paul Ford, Wired, 3 Aug. 2022 So the company grew up with a sensibility around doing microprocessor designs that ran on batteries, and that was really the ethos about how the company was was started. Fortune Editors, Fortune, 3 Aug. 2022 Ryan Pender, Alone’s executive producer, said that the pursuit of truth is the ethos that drives Alone’s storytelling. Fred Dreier, Outside Online, 6 July 2022 The beer itself is purposely accessible, which is the whole ethos. Philip Salter, Forbes, 4 July 2022 That appears to be the ethos behind Dust, a new megayacht concept that is bold and big in more ways than one. Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 24 June 2022 In her self-examination, in her embrace of people’s tough-to-look-at struggles, her ethos has been a rejection of shame. Sheri Linden, The Hollywood Reporter, 3 Sep. 2022 See More
Kelsey Ables, Washington Post, 31 Aug. 2022 Which, in a way, is perhaps also the ethos of the contemporary art museum itself. Elise Taylor, Vogue, 9 Aug. 2022 Disruption is an ethos for the bored, for people who live in reasonable climates and don't have tanks in the street. Paul Ford, Wired, 3 Aug. 2022 So the company grew up with a sensibility around doing microprocessor designs that ran on batteries, and that was really the ethos about how the company was was started. Fortune Editors, Fortune, 3 Aug. 2022 Ryan Pender, Alone’s executive producer, said that the pursuit of truth is the ethos that drives Alone’s storytelling. Fred Dreier, Outside Online, 6 July 2022 The beer itself is purposely accessible, which is the whole ethos. Philip Salter, Forbes, 4 July 2022 That appears to be the ethos behind Dust, a new megayacht concept that is bold and big in more ways than one. Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 24 June 2022 In her self-examination, in her embrace of people’s tough-to-look-at struggles, her ethos has been a rejection of shame. Sheri Linden, The Hollywood Reporter, 3 Sep. 2022 See More Word History
Etymology
New Latin, from Greek ēthos custom, character — more at sib
First Known Use
1842, in the meaning defined above
ethos
noun
as in principles
the code of good conduct for an individual or group rigorous self-discipline was central to the ethos of the ancient Spartans Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- principles
- norms
- ethics
- standards
- morality
- morals
- values
- beliefs
- tenets
- manners
- customs
- etiquette
- mores
- dictates
- dogma
- faith