Ethos
noun /ˈiː.θɒs/ — The appeal to credibility and character
Definition
In rhetoric, the appeal to the speaker's character, credibility, and authority — the reason to trust the argument because of who is making it. Also used broadly for the characteristic spirit or values of a group or organisation.
Beyond the definition
The trust that makes people willing to follow. Ethos says: believe this because of who I am and what I stand for.
Origin & history
From Greek 'ethos' (character, custom, habit). Aristotle identified it as one of the three modes of persuasion alongside logos and pathos.
Example sentences
Illustrative sentences for learning, not verified community posts or sourced quotations.
The campaign built its ethos on years of community work before it ever asked for a single vote.
Without ethos, the most logically sound argument can still fail to persuade.
Ethos is the long game of persuasion — built over years, destroyed in a moment.
How to use it
This entry uses a noun. Follow the examples for articles and singular or plural forms; not every noun takes “a” or “an.”
Choose “Ethos” when the meaning fits your context: In rhetoric, the appeal to the speaker's character, credibility, and authority — the reason to trust the argument because of who is making it. Also used broadly for the characteristic spirit or values of a group or organisation.
Synonyms
credibility, character, trustworthiness, reputation, authority
Antonyms
disrepute, untrustworthiness
Related words
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Word in the Wild
See how this word appears in life, language and stories.
Illustrative sentences and imagined stories for learning — not verified sightings, interviews, or sourced quotations.
Fictional scene
Calm Credibility of Team Leader
An experienced team leader reviews a map and model with colleagues, hands open, posture composed and thoughtful, reflecting careful and deliberative authority.
Ethos in rhetoric is the appeal to the speaker's character and credibility. The leader's composed, open posture and careful consideration of evidence (the map and model) visually demonstrate the reliability and integrity that make their colleagues listen and trust them, characterizing the 'ethos' of an effective and respectful leader.
Image credit: Wordspun · AI-generated conceptual illustration
Questions about this word
What does "Ethos" mean?
Ethos is noun meaning: The appeal to credibility and character. In rhetoric, the appeal to the speaker's character, credibility, and authority — the reason to trust the argument because of who is making it. Also used broadly for the characteristic spirit or values of a group or organisation.
Where does the word "Ethos" come from?
From Greek 'ethos' (character, custom, habit). Aristotle identified it as one of the three modes of persuasion alongside logos and pathos.