What does immoral mean?
Immoral describes conduct, ideas, or practices that conflict with accepted principles of right and wrong. It is stronger and more judgemental than simply saying that something is unethical, because it suggests a clear breach of moral standards rather than a debatable matter of taste or convenience. The word is commonly used in discussion of dishonest business practices, abusive behaviour, corruption, and betrayal of trust. Although an action may be legal without being moral, the reverse need not be true: legal restrictions do not settle every moral question. In journalism and public debate, the expression can carry an emotive force, so writers sometimes prefer more precise alternatives such as corrupt, deceptive, exploitative, or abusive when identifying exactly what is objectionable.
adjectiveLacking or contrary to moral principles; unethical or wrong.
- Contrary to accepted moral principles or ethical standards.
- So wrong or corrupt as to be regarded as seriously objectionable.
"The company was accused of using immoral practices to gain an unfair advantage."
"Lying to a client to obtain an unfair advantage was an immoral decision."
"The novel examines the immoral ambitions that drive the characters toward ruin."
A person can be legal without being moral, but an immoral act is wrong according to a moral principle rather than merely against a law.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does immoral come from?
The adjective was formed in the early 17th century from the Latin prefix imm-, meaning “not,” and the Latin adjective moralis, meaning “relating to moral conduct.” The English word moral had entered use from Latin moralis, associated with mos or moris, meaning “custom” or “manner of life.” The form immorality later developed as a noun, with immorally appearing as the corresponding adverb.
Related word forms
How immoral is actually used
The term is strongly negative and is often used for conduct regarded as clearly unethical. In legal and philosophical contexts, it may distinguish a serious violation of moral standards from conduct that is merely imprudent or undesirable.
Easily confused with immoral
Moral describes behaviour or principles that conform to accepted standards of right and wrong, whereas immoral behaviour violates those standards.