immorality
C1Formal
Definition
Meaning
The quality or state of being morally wrong or wicked; behaviour that goes against accepted moral principles.
Can refer to specific acts considered morally depraved, or to a general disregard for ethical standards in personal or public life. Sometimes used in philosophical/legal contexts to denote acts contrary to natural law or public morality.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Often implies a serious, systemic, or shocking violation of moral norms, not just minor ethical lapses. Can be used abstractly (the immorality of the act) or concretely (he was accused of various immoralities).
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning or usage. Spelling is consistent.
Connotations
In both varieties, carries strong negative judgement. Possibly slightly more common in religious or conservative discourse in the US.
Frequency
Comparable frequency in both dialects. More common in written, academic, or journalistic contexts than casual speech.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
the immorality of [noun phrase/gerund]immorality in [noun phrase]accuse someone of immoralitycondemn something as immoralityVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “A sink of immorality”
- “The road to immorality is paved with good intentions.”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rare. Might appear in discussions of corporate ethics or scandal: 'The investigation revealed financial immorality at the highest levels.'
Academic
Common in philosophy, theology, law, and sociology to discuss ethical systems, natural law, or social decay.
Everyday
Used in serious discussions about scandal, politics, or personal behaviour perceived as deeply wrong.
Technical
In legal contexts, sometimes related to 'crimes against morality' or historical statutes.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The press sought to immoralise his private life.
- (Note: 'immoralise' is extremely rare and non-standard. The verb form is not in common use.)
American English
- (No standard verb form in common use. Typically expressed as 'act immorally' or 'behave immorally'.)
adverb
British English
- He behaved quite immorally.
- The funds were acquired immorally.
American English
- She argued they had acted immorally.
- The system was designed to profit immorally from hardship.
adjective
British English
- His actions were deemed deeply immoral.
- They lived in an immoral society.
American English
- She found the proposal morally repugnant and immoral.
- The film was criticized for its immoral content.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The politician spoke about the immorality of stealing.
- Many religions teach that lying is a form of immorality.
- The novel explores the immorality of the war and its impact on soldiers.
- Historians debate the immorality of the colonial system.
- The judge condemned the fraud not just as illegal, but as a profound act of public immorality.
- Philosophical utilitarianism challenges traditional definitions of immorality by focusing on consequences.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: IM-MORAL-ity. The prefix 'im-' means 'not', so it's the state of NOT being moral.
Conceptual Metaphor
IMMORALITY IS A STAIN/CONTAMINATION (e.g., 'a stain of immorality', 'corruption spread'), IMMORALITY IS A DESCENT/FALL (e.g., 'sank into immorality', 'moral decline').
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with 'аморальность' in all contexts. 'Immorality' is stronger, often implying violation of fundamental principles, not just social etiquette. 'Безнравственность' is a closer match in serious contexts.
Common Mistakes
- Misspelling as 'imorality' (single m). Using it for minor, non-moral mistakes (e.g., 'His immorality was being late' - incorrect). Confusing with 'immortality' (living forever).
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is the LEAST likely synonym for 'immorality' in a formal context?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
'Immorality' means actively violating moral principles. 'Amorality' means being outside the sphere of morality, having no moral sense or principles (e.g., an infant or a natural disaster is amoral, not immoral).
Yes, though less common. The plural 'immoralities' can refer to specific immoral acts or instances (e.g., 'the various immoralities of the regime').
Often, yes. While some acts (like murder) are widely condemned, what constitutes immorality can vary between cultures, religions, and individuals. The word itself implies the speaker's moral judgement.
It is most frequently used as an uncountable noun in the pattern 'the immorality of [something]' or following a preposition like 'against' or 'of' (e.g., 'a campaign against immorality').