morale
muh-RAL
/məˈræl/
The degree of confidence, enthusiasm, and emotional state of a person or group at a particular time.
Emphasizes collective emotional tone and team spirit rather than individual happiness.
The story behind the word. Borrowed from the French 'morale' (moral condition, spirit) during the 18th century, derived from Latin 'moralis' (pertaining to manners or character). It entered English military parlance to describe troops' mental stamina.
Word relationships
- esprit de corps: Esprit de corps specifically refers to shared pride and camaraderie within a tight-knit unit.
- confidence: Confidence measures trust in capability, whereas morale reflects emotional state and enthusiasm.
- demoralization: Demoralization is the loss of hope, confidence, or discipline.
- disheartenment: Disheartenment is a loss of determination or enthusiasm.
Commonly confused with
- moral: Moral refers to ethics and righteousness, whereas morale refers to enthusiasm and spirit.
Word family
- demoralize (verb): To destroy the morale or confidence of someone.
Collocations
- boost morale
- low morale
- morale booster
- team morale
Idioms & expressions
- keep spirits high
Example sentences
- "The unexpected announcement of transparent performance bonuses did wonders to boost team morale following a difficult merger." Organizational Management
- "Morale is the single most important factor in war." Historical Citation
Memory hook
Morale has an 'e' at the end for 'Enthusiasm' of the team. Team spirit and energy.
When not to use
Do not confuse with 'moral' (principles of right and wrong behavior).
Fun facts
- During World War II, the British government produced the famous 'Keep Calm and Carry On' poster specifically to maintain civilian morale.
Related words
Also appears in
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