Word

conscience

noun C1

UK /ˈkɒn.ʃəns/

US /ˈkɑn.ʃəns/

Meanings

noun

a person’s inner moral sense that guides behavior and causes feelings such as guilt or relief

noun

a feeling of moral responsibility toward others; concern about doing what is right

Definition

Your conscience is the inner sense that tells you what is right or wrong and makes you feel guilt or relief.

Conscience is the part of your mind that guides your moral choices. It makes you feel uneasy when you think you have done something wrong and calmer when you believe you have acted fairly. People often talk about listening to their conscience when they must choose between convenience and what they feel is right.

Examples

My conscience wouldn’t let me take credit for work I didn’t do, so I corrected the record.
Your conscience will bother you if you ignore what you know is fair in that meeting.
His conscience caught up with him, and he admitted he had misled the team.
Her conscience was clear after she returned the wallet to its owner untouched.
Their conscience pushed them to speak up when the proposal seemed ethically questionable.

Common mistake

Learners often confuse "conscience" (moral sense) with "conscious" (awake/aware) because they look and sound similar.