# ethics

> English word · Noun · IPA /ˈɛθ.ɪks/ · frequency rank #5,217

## Definitions
1. Morality.
2. The standards that govern the conduct of a person, especially a member of a profession.
3. The study of principles relating to right and wrong conduct.

## Etymology
From Middle English etik, from Middle French ethique, from Late Latin ethica, from Ancient Greek ἠθική (ēthikḗ), from ἠθικός (ēthikós, “of or for morals, moral, expressing character”), from ἦθος (êthos, “character, moral nature”).

## Easily confused with
- **ethos** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/ethics-vs-ethos)
- **ethnic** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/ethics-vs-ethnic)
- **ethic** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/ethic-vs-ethics)
- **epics** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/epics-vs-ethics)
- **ethical** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/ethical-vs-ethics)

## Common misspellings (9)
`ehtics`, `ethcis`, `ethhics`, `ethiccs`, `ethicss`, `ethisc`, `etihcs`, `etthics`, `tehics`

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/ethics