moral

Universal Words adjective, noun adjective 1 [onlybeforenoun] concerned with principles of right and wrong behaviour: a moral issue / dilemma / question * traditional moral values * a decline in moral standards * moral philosophy * a deeply religious man with a highly developed moral sense * British newspapers were full of moral outrage at the weakness of other countries. 2 [onlybeforenoun] based on your own sense of what is right and fair, not on legal rights or duties: moral responsibility / duty * Governments have at least a moral obligation to answer these questions. * (BrE) The job was to call on all her diplomatic skills and moral courage (= the courage to do what you think is right). 3 following the standards of behaviour considered acceptable and right by most people: He led a very moral life. * a very moral person compareAMORAL, IMMORAL 4 [onlybeforenoun] able to understand the difference between right and wrong: Children are not naturally moral beings. IDIOMS take, claim, seize, etc. the moral high ground to claim that your side of an argument is morally better than your opponents' side; to argue in a way that makes your side seem morally better noun 1 (morals) [pl.] standards or principles of good behaviour, especially in matters of sexual relationships: Young people these days have no morals. * The play was considered an affront to public morals. * The question is one of manners rather than morals. * (old-fashioned) a woman of loose morals (= with a low standard of sexual behaviour) 2 [C] a practical lesson that a story, an event or an experience teaches you: And the moral is that crime doesn't pay.