What does morally mean?
Morally is an adverb meaning in accordance with moral principles, or in relation to questions of right and wrong. It is commonly used to evaluate conduct, motives, obligations, and consequences: a decision may be described as morally justified, morally wrong, morally ambiguous, or morally necessary. The adverb can also introduce a broader ethical assessment without directly judging a particular person, as in saying that an outcome was morally unacceptable. In general use, morally often suggests an appeal to ethical standards rather than merely to law, social convention, or personal preference. Consequently, calling something morally wrong does not always mean that it is illegal, and calling it morally justified does not necessarily mean that it is practical. The word is widely used in formal debate, journalism, literature, education, and everyday discussion, and it helps distinguish questions of conscience and principle from questions of effectiveness or rule-breaking.
adverbIn accordance with principles of right and wrong; ethically or morally. It can also mean with regard to moral considerations or standards.
- In accordance with principles of right and wrong; ethically.
- With regard to moral considerations or standards.
"She knew that reporting the misconduct was morally necessary, even though it would be difficult."
"The argument was morally compelling, even if it was strategically inconvenient."
"The novel asks whether it is morally acceptable to sacrifice one person to save many others."
The word morally turns a question of conduct into a question of principle: not merely what happened, but what should have happened.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does morally come from?
Morally is formed from moral, an adjective inherited through French from the Latin moralis, meaning pertaining to manners, conduct, or character. The suffix -ly formed the adverb in the usual English way, and modern senses relating specifically to ethical principles developed as the adjective's meaning became more clearly moral. Related words such as morality, moralist, and immoral share the same Latin root.
Related word forms
How morally is actually used
Morally is common in ethical discussion, journalism, literature, and formal argument. It can imply an absolute standard of right and wrong, while ethically often focuses on the principles, reasoning, or rules involved. The phrase morally obliged means required by one's principles, whereas morally obligated has a similar but slightly more formal tone.
Easily confused with morally
Morally means ethically or in accordance with moral principles, whereas morale means the confidence and enthusiasm shared by a group.
Morally concerns ethics and right conduct, while mortal refers to something that must eventually die.