Morale and Moral Differ by an E and a World of Meaning
Morale is confidence and spirit. Moral concerns right and wrong, and the two words are constantly confused.
Morale is the confidence and enthusiasm of a person or group. Its lookalike *moral* concerns right and wrong, and the pair trip up even careful writers. Both come from Latin *mores*, customs, but English took morale from French in the nineteenth century specifically for the military sense of fighting spirit.
- Confidence and spirit. *Low morale.*
- Moral — concerning right and wrong. *A moral question.*
- Morals — principles of conduct. *Loose morals.*
Word forms
| Form | Word | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Noun | morale | High morale. |
| Adjective | moral | A moral duty. |
| Plural noun | morals | Personal morals. |
| Noun | morality | Public morality. |
| Related | mores | Social mores. |
How it is used in a sentence
- Morale was low after the defeat.Spirit.
- It raises a moral question.Right and wrong.
- Napoleon said morale is to material as three to one.A frequently quoted maxim.
Words from *mores*, customs
- Morale — collective spirit
- Moral — concerning right conduct
- Morality — the system of such principles
- Mores — the customs of a society
- Demoralise — to destroy spirit, or to corrupt
From French *moral*, used as a noun, from Latin *moralis*, from *mores*, customs or manners.
Morale or moral?
Morale, with an E, means spirit and confidence. Moral concerns right and wrong. Morale is stressed on the second syllable.
What are mores?
The customs and conventions of a community, pronounced MOR-ayz. It is the Latin plural used directly in English.