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In Greek, ēthos means “custom” or “character.” As originally used by Aristotle, it referred to a person’s character or personality, especially with respect to a balance between passion and caution. In English, ethos is used today to refer to the practices or values that distinguish one person, organization, or society from others. In rhetoric, ethos is often studied alongside pathos and logos as a technique to successfully persuade an audience. Related terms in the English language include ethics (“a branch of philosophy dealing with what is morally right or wrong”) and ethology (“a branch of knowledge dealing with human character and with its formation and evolution”).
Examples of ethos in a Sentence
Imogen West-Knights, The Dial, 10 Feb. 2026
As a cipher, the Discobolus can either represent Pollak’s humanistic ethos of a cosmopolitan society or the idolatries of Hitler’s blood-and-soil fascism.
—Literary Hub, 10 Feb. 2026
That means identifying players, a playing style, and head coaches who fit with that, as well as the club’s ethos and ambitions.
—Chris Waugh, New York Times, 10 Feb. 2026
The upcoming public summit, Playground Summit, reflects this ethos at scale.
—Connie Etemadi, USA Today, 10 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for ethos
Cite this Entry
“Ethos.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ethos. Accessed 14 Feb. 2026.
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