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Definition of ethical adjective from the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

ethical

adjective
 
/ˈeθɪkl/
 
/ˈeθɪkl/
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  1. connected with beliefs and principles about what is right and wrong
    • ethical issues/standards/questions/dilemmas
    • the ethical problems of human embryo research
    Extra Examples
    • She objected on purely ethical grounds.
    • Doctors were expected to draw up ethical guidelines regarding relationships with patients.
    • Our overseas suppliers are obliged to comply with certain ethical principles.
    • There's an overwhelming ethical argument for the protection of the environment.
    • What kind of ethical and political values underpin our society?
  2. morally correct or acceptable
    • it is ethical to do something Is it ethical to keep animals in zoos?
    • it is ethical for somebody to do something It would have been more ethical for him to resign.
    • ethical investment (= investing money in businesses that are considered morally acceptable)
    • I don't consider the arms trade to be an ethical one.
    Topics Personal qualitiesb2
See ethical in the Oxford Advanced American DictionarySee ethical in the Oxford Learner's Dictionary of Academic English
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