immoral
ih-MO-ruhl
Immoral (adj) means going against accepted standards of right and wrong; morally wrong. Example: “Most people consider cheating on an exam immoral.”
adj
1
Going against accepted standards of right and wrong; morally wrong.
"Most people consider cheating on an exam immoral."
"The film explores whether the general's wartime decisions were immoral."
How to use immoral
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishWrong according to moral standards — not the same as illegal.
Common mistake
Immoral (morally wrong) is not the same as amoral (having no sense of morality at all) or unmoral.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
immoral behavior
immoral act
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Word forms
- Comparative
- more immoral
- Superlative
- most immoral
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Most people consider cheating on an exam _____.
Etymology
From im- ("not") plus moral, ultimately from Latin mos, "custom" or "manner".
Related words
Rhymes for immoral
See all rhymes for immoral →Frequently asked questions
What does “immoral” mean?
The word “immoral” means going against accepted standards of right and wrong; morally wrong. In plain terms, wrong according to moral standards — not the same as illegal.
How do you pronounce “immoral”?
“Immoral” is pronounced ih-MO-ruhl (/ɪˈmɔɹəl/ in IPA).
How do you use “immoral” in a sentence?
Here is “immoral” used in a sentence: “Most people consider cheating on an exam immoral.”
What is the opposite of “immoral”?
The opposite of “immoral” — its antonyms — are decent, modest, moral, proper and seemly.
What part of speech is “immoral”?
“Immoral” is an adjective.
Where does the word “immoral” come from?
The word “immoral” comes from Latin. From im- ("not") plus moral, ultimately from Latin mos, "custom" or "manner".
Is “immoral” a common word?
“Immoral” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
