Moral vs Morale
Moral and morale may sound and look similar, but they have distinct meanings and uses. Moral is an adjective with the meaning of correct behavior; ethical. Morale is a noun describing the emotional state of a group or individual. Moral is pronounced with emphasis on the first syllable, while morale puts emphasis on the latter syllable.
Here are some definitions and examples to help make the use of these words clearer.
Moral (adjective)
Of correct behavior; ethical.
Examples:
She knew it was the moral thing to do.
He felt a moral responsibility to carry out his dying wish.
In both examples, moral is used to describe an action as the right thing to do. Note that moral can also be used as a noun, as in “moral of the story.” This is the ethics lesson one can take away from a story.
Morale (noun)
The emotional state of a group or individual.
Examples:
The lost battle damaged the soldiers’ morale.
The college student needed a morale booster during finals.
In the first example, morale describes a group’s emotional or mental condition. In the second example, morale describes an individual’s emotional or mental condition.
Main Points
- Moral is an adjective with the meaning of correct behavior; ethical.
- Morale is a noun describing the emotional state of a group or individual.
- Moral can also be used as a noun, as in “moral of the story.”