Conscience Meaning and Definition

Pronunciation

/kənˈsɛns/ 🔊

Part of Speech

Noun

Definition

A person’s moral sense of right and wrong, a conscience is the internal voice that guides them in making decisions based on their values and principles, often accompanied by feelings of guilt, shame, or remorse when behaving unethically or in violation of one’s personal standards.

Examples

1. “She followed her conscience and chose to donate to a charitable organization instead of keeping the money for herself.”

2. “His action showed a clear disregard for his conscience, as he ignored the consequences of his actions on others.”

Synonyms

1. Moral compass

2. Inner voice

3. Ethical awareness

Antonyms

1. Lack of morality

2. Moral ambiguity

Etymology

The word “conscience” originates from the Latin word “conscious,” which means “aware, knowing.” This term has been used in English since the 15th century to describe the internal awareness of one’s moral obligations and personal standards.

Usage Notes

When using the word “conscience” in context, it is essential to understand the speaker’s tone and intentions. It can convey a sense of pride and confidence in making the right decision, but also imply self-doubt or conflict when expressing moral ambiguity.

In academic and professional settings, the word “conscience” is often used in the context of business ethics, corporate social responsibility, and human rights.

Cultural References

Conscience has appeared in numerous works of literature, film, and television, such as William Wordsworth’s poem “Ode: Intimations of Immortality” (1804), Albert Camus’ novel “The Stranger” (1942), and the television series “Touched by an Angel” (1994-2003).

Idiomatic Expressions or Phrases

Some common idioms and phrases that include the word “conscience” include:

1. “Following one’s conscience”

2. “Listen to your conscience”

3. “Cleansing one’s conscience”

Related Words or Phrases

Other words and phrases that convey similar meanings or ideas to “conscience” include:

1. “Moral code”

2. “Personal values”

3. “Integrity”

Collocations

Common word combinations with “conscience” include:

1. “Guilty conscience”

2. “Clear conscience”

3. “Morally clear conscience”

Frequency of Use

The word “conscience” is moderately used in everyday language, especially in formal or academic contexts, such as education, law, and ethics. Its usage can be affected by cultural, social, and individual factors.

Common Misspellings

Some common misspellings and variations of “conscience” include:

1. “concience”

2. “consience”

3. “conscentious”