moral turpitude: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2Formal, Legal
Quick answer
What does “moral turpitude” mean?
Conduct considered grossly immoral or inherently depraved according to societal standards.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
Conduct considered grossly immoral or inherently depraved according to societal standards; wickedness or baseness of character.
In legal contexts, a catch-all term for serious misconduct that offends the accepted moral standards of the community, often used as grounds to deny professional licenses or immigration status.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in definition. More common in US legal contexts (e.g., immigration law, bar admissions). In UK, the phrase appears in some statutes and professional conduct hearings but may be less codified.
Connotations
Identical: Extreme condemnation. Often associated with statutory exclusion or disqualification.
Frequency
Higher frequency in American English due to its established role in immigration and professional ethics law.
Grammar
How to Use “moral turpitude” in a Sentence
[crime/act/offence/conduct] of moral turpitude[involving/constituting/amounting to] moral turpitude[convicted/found guilty] of moral turpitudeVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “moral turpitude” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- (N/A – phrase functions as a noun phrase only)
American English
- (N/A – phrase functions as a noun phrase only)
adverb
British English
- (N/A – no standard adverb form)
American English
- (N/A – no standard adverb form)
adjective
British English
- The tribunal considered the turpitudinous nature of his acts.
- (Note: 'turpitudinous' is a rare, formal derivative)
American English
- The court's ruling hinged on the turpitudinous character of the fraud.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used in corporate ethics policies or employment contracts as grounds for termination (e.g., 'Termination for acts involving moral turpitude is immediate.').
Academic
Discussed in ethics, philosophy, and law journals analyzing the boundaries of legal morality.
Everyday
Extremely rare. Only used when referencing a formal legal or professional situation.
Technical
A key term in legal judgments, bar association rulings, and immigration visa applications/denials (e.g., INA §212(a)(2)(A)(i)(I)).
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “moral turpitude”
Strong
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “moral turpitude”
- Using it in casual conversation. *'He told a white lie – that's moral turpitude!' (incorrect – far too severe).
- Treating it as a count noun. *'He committed three moral turpitudes.' (incorrect – it's a non-count abstract concept).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. It refers specifically to crimes that involve dishonesty, fraud, deceit, or violence that shocks the public conscience (e.g., murder, rape, theft). Minor offences like traffic violations do not qualify.
It is almost exclusively a legal and formal administrative term. Using it in everyday speech to describe minor misbehaviour is hyperbolic and incorrect.
Not a single, universal one. Its exact meaning is developed through case law in each jurisdiction (federal and state in the US), which examines the elements of specific crimes to see if they involve 'baseness, vileness, or depravity'.
It comes from Latin 'turpitudo', meaning 'baseness' or 'ugliness', from 'turpis' (foul, vile). The phrase 'moral turpitude' has been used in English law for centuries.
Conduct considered grossly immoral or inherently depraved according to societal standards.
Moral turpitude is usually formal, legal in register.
Moral turpitude: in British English it is pronounced /ˌmɒr.əl ˈtɜː.pɪ.tjuːd/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌmɔːr.əl ˈtɝː.pə.tuːd/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[It is] an act of moral turpitude”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of TURPITUDE sounding like 'TURP-ed attitude' – a truly repulsive (turp) attitude that is morally rotten to the core.
Conceptual Metaphor
MORALITY IS CLEANLINESS / IMMORALITY IS FILTH. 'Turpitude' derives from Latin 'turpis' (foul, vile), suggesting moral filth or corruption.
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the phrase 'moral turpitude' MOST typically used?