Definition

Noun: 1. The characteristic spirit, fundamental values, and beliefs of a culture, community, or era: The set of guiding principles, attitudes, and character that define a particular group or period in time. 2. The underlying sentiment that informs the customs and practices of a people: The distinctive moral or aesthetic quality that shapes a society's worldview and behaviors.

Examples of Usage

Advanced Usage

• "To be central to the ethos of...": To be a fundamental part of a group's defining spirit.
  • Sustainability is central to the ethos of this organization.
• "To reflect the ethos of...": To show or embody the characteristic spirit.
  • The school's teaching methods reflect its progressive ethos.

Variants and Related Words

• Ethical (adj): Relating to moral principles or the branch of knowledge dealing with these.
  • He made an ethical decision to report the error.
• Ethics (n): Moral principles that govern a person's behavior or the conducting of an activity.
  • Medical professionals must adhere to a strict code of ethics.

Synonyms

• Spirit: The prevailing or typical quality, mood, or attitude.
• Character: The mental and moral qualities distinctive to an individual or group.
• Culture: The ideas, customs, and social behavior of a particular people or society.

Related Phrases

• Team ethos: The shared spirit and values that unite a team.
  • The coach worked hard to build a strong team ethos.
• Professional ethos: The guiding beliefs and standards of a profession.
  • Integrity is a key part of the legal profession's ethos.

Related Concepts

• Pathos: A quality that evokes pity, sadness, or compassion.
• Logos: The principle of reason and judgment, or a rhetorical appeal to logic.

Noun

1. (anthropology) the distinctive spirit of a culture or an era
   • the Greek ethos