ethos

Word family

• ethic
  nounC1
• ethics
  nounB2
• ethical
  adjectiveB2

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

All five words describe qualities that define a group, but they differ in scope and connotation. Ethos refers specifically to the moral character and core beliefs that shape a group's behaviour — it is less about individual practices than about the guiding principles behind them. Values are the particular principles (honesty, fairness, loyalty) that a group holds important; the word is more concrete and can be listed or measured. Culture is far broader, covering customs, language, rituals, and daily habits alongside beliefs. Spirit tends toward the prevailing mood or energy — 'team spirit' suggests enthusiasm rather than moral code. Character, when applied to groups, often describes the reputation formed by past actions rather than the underlying belief system. For example: 'The company's ethos of transparency guides hiring decisions, while its culture of casual Fridays shapes daily office life.'

Common collocations

Etymology

From Greek ἦθος (êthos), meaning 'character, custom, nature, disposition'. The word entered English through Latin in the late 16th century. The same Greek root gives us 'ethics' (from Greek τὰ ἠθικά, 'matters relating to character').