work ethic

[wurk eth-ik]

noun

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

work ethic

noun

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of work ethic¹

First recorded in 1950–55

Example Sentences

The blue-collar work ethic that fueled The Streak and the class and style Ripken displayed that summer helped revitalize an industry that was still reeling from a devastating strike and long labor dispute that also forced the 1995 season to be reduced to 144 games, with a late April start.

From Los Angeles Times

In the late ’90s, the last time, perhaps, that state-sponsored gambling didn’t seem inevitable, the evangelical activist James Dobson warned that “gambling fever now threatens the work ethic and the very foundation of the family.”

From Slate

“When Herb recommends somebody, I already know it’s going to be good. He doesn’t bring in anybody who doesn’t have a tremendous work ethic. Devin came in, and Herb was right.”

From Los Angeles Times

“He does everything well. Every intangible he’s off the charts — competitiveness, leadership, work ethic.”

From Los Angeles Times

But there was no doubting Bowden’s work ethic as an intern.

From Los Angeles Times