work ethic

American

[wurk eth-ik] / ˈwɜrk ˌɛθ ɪk /

noun

a belief in the moral benefit and importance of work and its inherent ability to strengthen character.

work ethic British

noun

a belief in the moral value of work (often in the phrase Protestant work ethic )

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of work ethic

First recorded in 1950–55

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

And she had an intense work ethic.

From Los Angeles Times

Well, she's not 82, but she has that very similar work ethic.

From BBC

“And I remember that like it was yesterday. The man was just a tireless worker and his work ethic was unmatched as a coach. He was always prepared.”

From Los Angeles Times

"Rondale had a work ethic unmatched by anyone," Brohm said.

From Barron's

But his supreme fitness, work ethic, athleticism and boxing brain earnt him the respect of his peers in the ring.

From Barron's

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023