integrity
C1formal / semi-formal
Definition
Meaning
The quality of being honest and having strong moral principles.
The state of being whole, undivided, or complete, especially in terms of structural soundness or data consistency.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The word has two primary senses: 1) moral honesty and consistency (the most common), and 2) structural or data wholeness (common in technical contexts). The moral sense is often associated with unwavering adherence to a code.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning or usage. Both use the word identically in moral and technical contexts.
Connotations
Equally strong positive connotations in both varieties. Slightly more common in formal writing than casual speech.
Frequency
Similar frequency in both dialects, with a slight edge in American English in business/ethics contexts.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[verb] + integrity (e.g., demonstrate, maintain, uphold, lack, compromise)integrity + [preposition] + [noun] (e.g., integrity of the data, integrity in leadership)Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “A man/woman of integrity”
- “To compromise one's integrity”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Refers to ethical business practices and trustworthy leadership. 'The CEO's financial integrity was never in doubt.'
Academic
Used in ethics, philosophy, and also in computer science/data management. 'The study examines the link between academic integrity and student success.'
Everyday
Used to describe a person's strong moral character. 'I trust her completely; she has immense integrity.'
Technical
Refers to the wholeness and correctness of data or a structure. 'The software checks the integrity of the backup files.'
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- We must integrity-check the database.
- The process is designed to integrity-assure the transmission.
American English
- The system will integrity-verify the files.
- We need to integrity-test the new module.
adverb
British English
- The data was integrity-assuredly processed.
- He acted integrity-consciously throughout.
American English
- The system runs integrity-verifiably.
- She managed the funds integrity-mindedly.
adjective
British English
- The integrity-check passed.
- An integrity-based approach to governance.
American English
- The integrity scan failed.
- An integrity-focused audit.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- He is a good man. He has integrity.
- Tell the truth. Have integrity.
- A good leader must have integrity.
- I admire her personal integrity.
- The journalist was respected for her professional integrity and refusal to compromise on facts.
- The structural integrity of the old bridge was called into question after the storm.
- The committee's investigation ultimately vindicated the minister, confirming that she had acted with unimpeachable integrity throughout the crisis.
- Any attempt to alter the raw data would constitute a serious breach of scientific integrity and invalidate the entire study.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of INTEGRITY as being INTEGRAL to a good character – you can't remove it without the whole thing falling apart.
Conceptual Metaphor
MORALITY IS STRUCTURAL SOUNDNESS / WHOLENESS (e.g., 'He's a man of unshakeable integrity,' 'The scandal compromised the integrity of the institution.').
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with 'интеграция' (integration).
- The closest conceptual translation is 'честность' (honesty) for the moral sense, but 'целостность' for the structural sense.
- The Russian 'интегритет' is a rare, direct borrowing and not commonly used.
Common Mistakes
- Misspelling as 'intergrity' or 'intergity'.
- Using it as a synonym for just 'skill' or 'intelligence' (e.g., 'He solved the problem with great integrity' is wrong).
- Confusing the adjective form 'integral' (necessary part) with 'integrity' (honesty/wholeness).
Practice
Quiz
In which context does 'integrity' MOST LIKELY refer to structural soundness rather than moral principle?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. While its primary meaning is moral honesty and consistency, it also has a technical meaning referring to the state of being whole, complete, and uncorrupted (e.g., data integrity, structural integrity).
No, 'integrity' is solely a noun. The related verb is 'integrate'. However, in technical jargon, it can be part of compound verbs like 'integrity-check'.
Honesty is specifically about truthfulness. Integrity is a broader concept that includes honesty but also implies consistent adherence to a strong moral code, even when unobserved. An honest person tells the truth; a person with integrity's actions consistently align with their principles.
It is more common in formal and semi-formal contexts (business, academia, journalism) but is perfectly understood in everyday speech when discussing character. In casual chat, simpler words like 'honesty' might be used more frequently.
Collections
Part of a collection
Leadership and Management
B2 · 46 words · Language for leading teams and managing organizations.
Philosophy and Ethics
C1 · 50 words · Philosophical concepts and ethical reasoning.
High-Level Idiomatic Expressions
C2 · 45 words · Sophisticated idiomatic and nuanced vocabulary.