Immoral

Part of speech: adjective

Pronunciation: /ɪˈmɒɹəl/

Definitions

1. Acting in a way that violates accepted principles of right and wrong conduct or ethical standards
2. Engaging in behavior that contradicts moral principles and societal norms surrounding right and wrong choices
3. Demonstrating actions that are considered unethical and wrong according to moral standards established by a community or society

Etymology: The surprise here is that "moral" came first and "immoral" is simply its negation. Latin "mōs" (plural "mōrēs") meant custom, manner or habit, and "mōrālis" was coined from it to mean relating to character or conduct. That adjective passed through Old French "moral" into Middle English, where it was used for matters of behaviour and ethics. English then added the prefix "im-", a form of the Latin negating prefix "in-" that takes its "m" before a labial consonant, and attached it to the existing adjective. So "immoral" is a plain formation: negative prefix plus a word already meaning "of conduct." It is a straightforward English compound built on a Latin root, and it means that which goes against those accepted customs and principles.

Synonyms: unethical, wicked, wrong, depraved, corrupt

Antonyms: moral, ethical, righteous, virtuous, good