ethical

ethical — adjective

1. relating to a system of moral principles that help people and organisations deci

1.形容詞B2
釋義

relating to a system of moral principles that help people and organisations decide what behaviour is good or bad, especially within a particular profession or society.

例句

The hospital board faced an ethical dilemma when deciding how to allocate limited medical supplies.

ethical dilemma — a situation with two conflicting moral choices

Indra explained the ethical principles that guide her research on human subjects.

同義詞
  • moral

    broader term covering personal beliefs; 'ethical' implies a professional or societal code

  • moralistic

    negative connotation — preaching about morality; not a neutral alternative

反義詞
  • non-ethical

    rare; 'unethical' is the standard opposite for senses 2-3

文法句型

ethical + noun

用法筆記

Frequently combines with nouns like dilemma, code, principle, question, and issue to name topics in moral philosophy or professional conduct. The noun ethics (plural in form, singular or plural in use) refers to the study or system itself.

常見錯誤

❌He has a strong work ethic.' (when meaning 'ethical behaviour').
✅He has a strong work ethic.
💡'ethic' is the noun; 'ethical' is the adjective. 'Work ethic' is a fixed noun phrase and is correct as-is.
❌This is an ethic question.
✅This is an ethical question.
💡'Ethic' is not an adjective. Use 'ethical' before nouns.

2. describing actions, decisions, or behaviour that people in a particular group or

2.形容詞B2
釋義

describing actions, decisions, or behaviour that people in a particular group or society regard as good, fair, and morally right, especially in a professional setting.

例句

Ingrid felt it was not ethical to sell family land without warning the local community.

it was not ethical + to-infinitive — negative moral judgment

The company made the ethical choice to pay its overseas factory workers a living wage.

同義詞
  • principled

    emphasises consistent personal values; 'principled' has a stronger sense of personal integrity

  • righteous

    much stronger, often with a negative connotation of self-certainty or indignation

  • virtuous

    old-fashioned, focused on personal character; sounds dated in modern professional contexts

反義詞
  • unethical

    the direct standard antonym

  • immoral

    stronger moral condemnation; 'immoral' suggests a more serious violation of shared values

文法句型

ethical + noun

it is ethical + to-infinitive

it is not ethical + to-infinitive

用法筆記

Common in questions of moral judgment: 'Is it ethical to…?' Distinguish sense 2 from sense 1 by noting that sense 2 passes judgment (good/right) whereas sense 1 merely describes the domain (relating to moral principles). 'It is ethical' always means sense 2; 'an ethical question' could be either — context determines.

常見錯誤

❌That decision was very ethical.
✅That decision was highly ethical.
💡'Highly ethical' is the standard collocation; 'very ethical' sounds slightly awkward to many native speakers.
❌The business is legal but it is not ethic.
✅The business is legal but it is not ethical.
💡Confusing the noun 'ethic' with the adjective 'ethical'. Something legal may still not be ethical.

3. describing a company, investment, or business practice that avoids causing harm

3.形容詞B2
釋義

describing a company, investment, or business practice that avoids causing harm to people, communities, or the natural environment, and often tries to create a positive social impact.

例句

Emre only invests in ethical companies that use renewable energy and pay fair wages.

ethical company — a business that avoids social and environmental harm

The university pension fund shifted its money into ethical investments focused on clean drinking water.

ethical investments — funds that support socially responsible businesses

同義詞
  • responsible

    broader; 'responsible investment' includes financial prudence, not just moral criteria

  • sustainable

    focuses on environmental longevity; 'ethical' also covers labour and social issues

  • green

    narrower — only environmental; 'ethical' includes social and labour dimensions

反義詞
  • unethical

    standard opposite for business practices

  • exploitative

    specific to labour or resource practices; stronger negative charge

文法句型

ethical + noun

用法筆記

Subject is typically a company, fund, brand, or industry. The object of the concern is usually environmental impact, labour conditions, or animal welfare. This sense often appears in compound labels: ethical investment, ethical consumerism, ethical fashion, ethical sourcing. Do not use for individual actions or personal behaviour — that belongs to sense 2.

常見錯誤

❌I bought an ethical apple.
✅I bought apples from an ethical producer.
💡'Ethical' describes the company or its practices, not the product itself. A product is 'ethically sourced' or 'from an ethical brand'.
❌The bank claims to be ethical but it still lends to oil companies.
✅Correct as written.
💡This structure is fine; just be aware that 'ethical' in this sense is regularly challenged by critics who point out gaps between a company's claims and its actions.