English dictionary, thesaurus, translations & etymology
FreeDict.com
noun Uncommon

morale

muh-RAHL

Morale (noun) means the overall confidence, enthusiasm, and spirit of a person or group. Example: “The team's morale improved after their first win.”

noun
1
The overall confidence, enthusiasm, and spirit of a person or group.
"The team's morale improved after their first win."
"Low staff morale was hurting productivity."

How to use morale

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishHow confident and motivated a person or group feels.

Common mistake

Don't confuse with "moral" (about right and wrong) — morale is about spirit and confidence.

Easily confused with
Common pairings
boost morale team morale low morale

Word forms

morales plural

Study it as flashcards or scroll it in Flow — saved to your collection.
Test yourself on “morale” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage

Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

The team's _____ improved after their first win.

Etymology

Borrowed from French morale, ultimately from the same Latin root as "moral," but developing its own separate meaning in French.

Origin: Latin

Related words

Rhymes for morale

See all rhymes for morale →

Frequently asked questions

What does “morale” mean?

The word “morale” means the overall confidence, enthusiasm, and spirit of a person or group. In plain terms, how confident and motivated a person or group feels.

How do you pronounce “morale”?

“Morale” is pronounced muh-RAHL (/məˈɹæl/ in IPA).

How do you use “morale” in a sentence?

Here is “morale” used in a sentence: “The team's morale improved after their first win.”

What part of speech is “morale”?

“Morale” is a noun.

Where does the word “morale” come from?

The word “morale” comes from Latin. Borrowed from French morale, ultimately from the same Latin root as "moral," but developing its own separate meaning in French.

Is “morale” a common word?

“Morale” is an uncommon word in modern English.

What is the difference between morale and mood?

Morale refers to the overall confidence, enthusiasm, and spirit of a person or group, often in a work, team, or military context, while mood describes a more personal and temporary emotional state. Morale is typically discussed at a group level, such as 'team morale,' whereas mood is usually individual.

What does it mean to boost morale?

Boosting morale means taking action to increase a group's overall confidence, enthusiasm, and spirit, such as through recognition, support, or improved conditions. It is commonly discussed in workplace and team-management contexts.

Is morale used mainly for groups or can it describe one person?

While morale is most often used to describe the collective spirit of a group, such as employees or soldiers, it can also refer to an individual's overall confidence and enthusiasm. Group usage, however, is far more common.

People also searched

Definitions: FreeDict original editorial