ethos

[ˈiːθɒs]

ethos Definition

  • 1the characteristic spirit of a culture, era, or community as manifested in its attitudes and aspirations
  • 2the fundamental character or spirit of a culture; the underlying sentiment that informs the beliefs, customs, or practices of a group or society

Using ethos: Examples

Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "ethos" can be used in various situations through the following examples!

  • Example

    The company's ethos is centered around sustainability and environmental responsibility.

  • Example

    The political party's ethos is based on social justice and equality.

  • Example

    The school's ethos emphasizes academic excellence and personal growth.

ethos Synonyms and Antonyms

Phrases with ethos

  • a culture or climate that encourages and values the expression of disagreement or opposition

    Example

    The university has an ethos of dissent, where students are encouraged to challenge authority and express their opinions.

  • a culture or climate that values and rewards diligence, effort, and perseverance

    Example

    The company has an ethos of hard work, where employees are expected to put in long hours and go above and beyond to achieve their goals.

  • a culture or climate that fosters creativity, experimentation, and risk-taking in pursuit of new ideas and solutions

    Example

    The startup has an ethos of innovation, where employees are encouraged to think outside the box and come up with disruptive technologies.

Origins of ethos

from Greek 'ethos', meaning 'custom', 'habit'

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Summary: ethos in Brief

'Ethos' [ˈiːθɒs] refers to the characteristic spirit or fundamental character of a culture, era, or community, as manifested in its attitudes and aspirations. It can be seen in phrases like 'ethos of dissent,' which values the expression of disagreement, and 'ethos of hard work,' which values diligence and perseverance. 'Ethos of innovation' values creativity and experimentation. 'Ethos' is often used in formal contexts to describe the underlying sentiment that informs the beliefs, customs, or practices of a group or society.

How do native speakers use this expression?