ethical

adjective

eth·​i·​cal ˈe-thi-kəl 

variants or less commonly ethic

ˈe-thik 

1

: of or relating to ethics

ethical theories

2

: involving or expressing moral approval or disapproval

ethical judgments

3

: conforming to accepted standards of conduct

ethical behavior

4

medical, of a drug : restricted to sale only with a doctor's prescription

ethicality

ˌe-thə-ˈka-lə-tē 

noun

ethically

ˈe-thi-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

ethicalness

ˈe-thi-kəl-nəs 

noun

Synonyms of ethical

• honorable
• honest
• moral
• true
• nice
• good

Choose the Right Synonym for ethical

moral, ethical, virtuous, righteous, noble mean conforming to a standard of what is right and good.

moral implies conformity to established sanctioned codes or accepted notions of right and wrong.

the basic moral values of a community

ethical may suggest the involvement of more difficult or subtle questions of rightness, fairness, or equity.

committed to the highest ethical principles

virtuous implies moral excellence in character.

not a religious person, but virtuous nevertheless

righteous stresses guiltlessness or blamelessness and often suggests the sanctimonious.

wished to be righteous before God and the world

noble implies moral eminence and freedom from anything petty, mean, or dubious in conduct and character.

had the noblest of reasons for seeking office

Examples of ethical in a Sentence

Some doctors feel that this procedure is not medically ethical.

the ethical behavior expected of every member of the police force

Recent Examples on the Web

Interdependence is not an ethical aspiration but a condition of life itself. —Manuela Moscoso, Artforum, 2 Apr. 2026

Here's a primer on The Arizona Republic, which has covered the state since 1890, and the ethical standards its journalists hold themselves to. —Stacey Barchenger, AZCentral.com, 1 Apr. 2026

Legal scholars and human rights advocates involved in the effort emphasize due process concerns and the ethical dimensions of prolonged detention. —Billal Rahman, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Apr. 2026

Lumet — himself a serious theater creature who shared an ethical bent with the twentieth century’s great American playwrights — specialized in movies about little guys’ going up against the system. —Sara Holdren, Vulture, 31 Mar. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English etik, from Latin ethicus, from Greek ēthikos, from ēthos character — more at sib

First Known Use

circa 1573, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing ethical

• pre-ethical

Rhymes for ethical

• unethical

Kids Definition

ethical

adjective

eth·​i·​cal ˈeth-i-kəl 

1

: of or relating to ethics

2

a

: following accepted rules of conduct

b

: following professional standards of conduct

3

: sold only on a doctor's prescription

ethical drugs

ethically

-i-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

Medical Definition

ethical

1 of 2 adjective

eth·​i·​cal ˈeth-i-kəl 

variants also ethic

-ik 

1

: conforming to accepted professional standards of conduct

2

of a drug : restricted to sale only on a doctor's prescription

ethically

ˈeth-i-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

ethical

2 of 2 noun

: an ethical drug

Legal Definition

ethical

adjective

eth·​i·​cal ˈe-thi-kəl 

1

: of or relating to ethics

2

: conforming to accepted professional standards of conduct

ethically adverb