Used and loved by millions
Since I tried Ludwig back in 2017, I have been constantly using it in both editing and translation. Ever since, I suggest it to my translators at ProSciEditing.

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak
CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com
ethos
Grammar usage guide and real-world examplesUSAGE SUMMARY
The word “ethos” is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to the moral character of a person or group. For example, “The company’s ethos was to always put the customer first.”.
✓ Grammatically correct
News & Media
Formal & Business
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Human-verified examples from authoritative sources
Exact Expressions
60 human-written examples
With events taking place at venues ranging from tiny, niche museums in Orkney and Norfolk to national giants such at the Natural History Museum and the V&A, the founding ethos of the festival is to celebrate the diverse and often quirky cultural landscape of Britain and to give a voice and platform to smaller institutions.
News & Media
Here, the Bond glitz was displaced by Saltzman's other favoured ethos, kitchen sink realism, and some kind of 60s circle was made complete.
News & Media
The reticent producer cut his teeth running similarly toned, small, dark basement events in Bristol, so he'll be right at home with City Bass's back-to-basics ethos, and his focused, skilful mixing of rarely heard 90s NY house'n'garage with prime UK modernism will put everyone in the right headspace to get down.
News & Media
Further practical and philosophical advice will be given about the discipline, ethos, and challenges of writing and the literary industry.
News & Media
Or the chic: The Mission's Delfina, with its farm-to-table ethos and queues.
News & Media
"Universities have developed a therapeutic ethos, where students are no longer seen as confident adults, but as vulnerable," he says.
News & Media
Unless and until we can find a way to bring the entire banking industry back to basics – to really doing God's work and not just talking about it while defending their real business of creating and trading exotic financial securities – and instill in its employees an ethos that it's that mission that is at least as important as the money, we'll keep seeing survey results like this.
News & Media
The claim is that too much youth service provision is directed at young Bengali men in particular and that too much of that provision is...well, the term "Islamisation" is used, and the complaint is that this goes against what should be a secular ethos in the service.
News & Media
Only a few months out of university and full of youthful idealism, I assured the two man panel that I wanted to work in the NHS because of its public service ethos.
News & Media
My memories are faded but what remains is a picture of a happy, lively household whose ethos was not so far removed from times when children were raised by communities, not individuals.
News & Media
My colleague Michael Safi, who is also a duel Melbourne/Sydney citizen, says of Tiger: "Even its Melbourne terminal evokes the airline's cheap as chips ethos, providing the bare minimum required of a building, which is to say, shelter.
News & Media
Expert writing Tips
Best practice
When discussing an organization's "ethos", be specific about which values are most important and how they are demonstrated in practice.
Common error
Avoid using "ethos" when you specifically mean "ethics". "Ethos" refers to the overall character or spirit, while "ethics" are the moral principles.
Source & Trust
95%
Authority and reliability
4.8/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested
Linguistic Context
The noun "ethos" functions to describe the characteristic spirit, prevailing tone, or moral nature of a group, organization, or culture. Ludwig AI confirms its use in contexts ranging from organizational values to cultural norms. Examples show it defining the underlying principles that guide behavior.
Frequent in
News & Media
45%
Formal & Business
25%
Science
15%
Less common in
Academia
5%
Encyclopedias
3%
Wiki
2%
Ludwig's WRAP-UP
In summary, "ethos" is a versatile noun used to describe the fundamental character or spirit of a person, culture, or movement. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically sound and frequently used across various contexts. The most common usages appear in News & Media, Formal & Business, and Scientific publications. While related to terms like "ethics" and "values", it holds a broader meaning encompassing the overall prevailing spirit. Remember to be precise in conveying which specific aspects of an "ethos" you're highlighting, and avoid confusing it with mere "ethics". Knowing this should provide you with confidence to effectively use the word in writing.
More alternative expressions(10)
Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:
core values
Highlights the essential and enduring beliefs of an individual or group.
guiding principles
Emphasizes the fundamental beliefs that direct actions and decisions.
driving philosophy
Highlights the underlying beliefs that motivate actions and decisions.
moral code
Focuses specifically on the set of moral principles guiding behavior.
fundamental character
Highlights the essential nature or quality of something.
organizational culture
Describes the shared values and practices within a company or institution.
ethical framework
Emphasizes the structured set of moral guidelines used for decision-making.
prevailing spirit
Captures the dominant attitude or feeling characteristic of a particular place or time.
collective mindset
Focuses on the shared attitudes and beliefs of a group of people.
cultural norms
Refers to the accepted standards and expectations within a society or group.
FAQs
How is the word "ethos" typically used in a sentence?
The word "ethos" is often used to describe the guiding beliefs or values of a person, group, or organization. For example, "The company's "core values" define its ethos."
What are some alternatives to using the word "ethos"?
Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "moral code", "guiding principles", or "organizational culture" instead of "ethos".
Is it correct to use "ethos" and "values" interchangeably?
While related, "ethos" and "values" aren't always interchangeable. "Ethos" refers to the overall character or spirit, while "values" are specific beliefs. The "core values" contribute to the ethos.
What is the difference between "ethos" and "ethics"?
"Ethos" refers to the characteristic spirit or culture of a community, system, or organization. "Ethics", on the other hand, refers to moral principles that govern a person's behavior or the conducting of an activity. They can be related, as a group's "ethical framework" would contribute to its ethos.
Editing plus AI, all in one place.
Stop switching between tools. Your AI writing partner for everything—polishing proposals, crafting emails, finding the right tone.
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Source & Trust
95%
Authority and reliability
4.8/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested