Principled
/ˈprɪnsəpəld/
adjectiveB2adjective form derived from noun
Definition
Principled describes a person or action that follows clear moral rules or beliefs. Someone who is principled behaves honestly and fairly because they believe in doing what is right. It shows strong character and good values.
Was this helpful?
See It in Action
Having strong moral beliefs and acting according to them
- •She is a principled teacher who always treats students fairly.
- •He made a principled decision to tell the truth, even though it was risky.
- •The company follows principled business practices to be honest with customers.
Based on clear rules or principles
- •The principled approach to solving the problem helped everyone agree.
- •They had a principled discussion about ethics in the workplace.
Make It Stick
- ✓Think of "principled" like "good" or "honest," but with a strong rule or belief behind it that guides actions.
- ✓Picture a person standing firmly, holding a book called "My Rules," showing they follow important values.
- ✓It's the feeling when someone always tells the truth, even if it is hard or not popular.
- ✓Sounds like "PRIN-suh-puld" → imagine a prince holding a shield protecting his principles (rules).
- ✓Think of stories where heroes never give up their beliefs, like a knight who always fights fairly.
- ✓NOT like "random" or "careless" — principled means actions are planned and based on important rules.
- ✓NOT like "flexible" or "easygoing" — principled means sticking to your values, even when it is difficult.
Try Other Words
- •Ethical: related to moral rules and what is right (Use when focusing on moral correctness in behavior)
- •Honest: telling the truth and being fair (Use when emphasizing truthfulness rather than strong beliefs)
- •Moral: related to right and wrong behavior (Use when talking about values or beliefs about right and wrong)
- •Upright: behaving in a good and honest way (Use when emphasizing good character and fairness)
Unboxing
- •Word parts: principle (root noun meaning a basic truth or rule) + suffix "-ed" (forming adjective meaning "having or showing")
- •Etymology: From Latin "principium" meaning beginning or first cause, through Old French and English as "principle" for rule or truth
- •Historical development: "Principle" has long meant a basic truth or rule; "principled" developed to describe someone who follows these rules
- •Modern usage: Used to describe people, decisions, or actions that follow strong moral rules or values
Reflect & Connect
•Can someone be principled in one area of life but not in others? How does that affect trust?
•How do you decide what principles are most important to follow in difficult situations?
Fill in the blanks
1.A principled person will ___ their values even when it is difficult or unpopular.
2.When making decisions, being principled means thinking about what is ___ and fair.
3.Unlike someone who changes their mind easily, a principled person sticks to their ___.
4.The manager gave a principled answer because she wanted to be ___ and clear.
5.People respect leaders who are principled because they show strong ___.
6.Being principled is not just about rules, but about having good ___ inside.
7.When a company acts in a principled way, customers feel they can ___ them.