Ethical

/ˈɛθɪkəl/ adj, noun

adj, noun ·Common ·High school level

Definitions

Noun
  1. 1
    An ethical drug, one only dispensed on the prescription of a physician.
Adjective
  1. 1
    Of or relating to the study of ethics. not-comparable

    "The philosopher Kant is particularly known for his ethical writings."

  2. 2
    Of or relating to the accepted principles of right and wrong, especially those of some organization or profession. not-comparable

    "All employees must familiarize themselves with our ethical guidelines."

  3. 3
    Morally approvable; good. comparable

    "We are trying to decide what the most ethical course of action would be."

  4. 4
    Only dispensed on the prescription of a physician. not-comparable

    "In most jurisdictions, morphine is classified as an ethical drug."

Adjective
  1. 1
    conforming to accepted standards of social or professional behavior wordnet
  2. 2
    adhering to ethical and moral principles wordnet
  3. 3
    of or relating to the philosophical study of ethics wordnet

Synonyms

All synonyms
honorableacademic ethicsacademic integrityanimal testing welfareanimal-welfareappropriate

Example

More examples

"It is not ethical for a doctor to reveal confidences."

Etymology

From ethic + -al, from Late Latin ethicus (“moral, ethical”), from Ancient Greek ἠθικός (ēthikós, “of or for morals, moral, expressing character”), from ἦθος (êthos, “character, moral nature”).

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