English Lexicon

Moral Compass

/ˈmɔːr.əl ˈkɒm.pəs/
nounCEFR B2 (Upper)Top #1500 frequency
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Comprehensive Definitions & Senses

2 senses
As noun
  1. 1

    An internalized set of values and principles that guide a person's decisions and actions.

    "Her moral compass guided her to volunteer for the charity."
  2. 2

    A metaphorical tool used to evaluate ethical dilemmas and make moral choices.

    "He relied on his moral compass to navigate the complex situation at work."

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Antonyms & Contrasting Words (1)

Linguistic Origin & Historical Etymology

The term 'moral compass' combines 'moral', derived from the Latin 'moralis', meaning 'pertaining to manners', and 'compass', from Latin 'compassus', meaning 'a way or path'. The phrase emerged in the late 20th century to describe an individual's ability to judge right from wrong.

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