Meaning & use
moral values
Last updated
Meaning
nounusually plural
The beliefs a person or group holds about what is right and wrong, and which guide how they behave.
Grammar: Used with a plural verb: her moral values are strong.
Patterns
- share someone's moral values
- teach someone moral values
- moral values of something
Her parents taught her moral values such as honesty and kindness.
The film explores how moral values change from one generation to the next.
He refused the bribe because it clashed with his moral values.
Common combinations
- traditional moral values
- The town prides itself on its traditional moral values.
- share moral values
- Good friends often share the same moral values.
- instil moral values
- Teachers try to instil moral values in young pupils.
- erode moral values
- Some people claim that fame can erode moral values.
- a decline in moral values
- Older voters spoke about a decline in moral values.
Synonyms and how they differ
- ethics
- Ethics often refers to a formal system of rules, such as in a profession, while moral values are the personal or shared beliefs behind behaviour.
- principles
- Principles are the specific rules someone lives by and can be non-moral, whereas moral values always concern right and wrong.
- morals
- Morals is a shorter, slightly more informal word, often about personal conduct, especially in sexual or honest behaviour.
Opposites
Word family
Commonly confused: moral values or morale?
moral values vs morale
Morale is the level of confidence and spirit in a group, such as a team. It is not about right and wrong.
Practice
Which sentence uses 'moral values' correctly?
Choose one answer.
Moral values are beliefs about right and wrong, which parents can pass on. The first option confuses them with morale (team spirit), and the other two treat them like numbers or taste.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “moral values”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.