noun
ethos
EE-thos
noun
1
The characteristic spirit, values, or beliefs of a person, culture, or organisation.
"Teamwork is at the heart of the company's ethos."
"The club's ethos is all about fair play."
2
In rhetoric, an appeal to the speaker's credibility or authority to persuade an audience.
"The lawyer relied on ethos, reminding jurors of her years of experience."
How to Use Ethos
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe defining spirit or values behind a person, group, or idea.
Common mistake
Don't confuse with "ethics" — ethos is the overall character or guiding spirit of a group, while ethics refers to specific moral rules or principles.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
company ethos
the ethos of
appeal to ethos
Word Forms
ethe plural, ethea plural, ethoses plural
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Teamwork is at the heart of the company's _____.
Etymology
From Ancient Greek êthos (\"character, custom, habit\").