A qualm is an uneasy feeling of doubt or worry about whether something is right. When you have qualms about copying a friend's homework, that uncomfortable feeling in your stomach is telling you it might be wrong, even if you could probably get away with it.

Qualms often arise when you're considering doing something that conflicts with your values or sense of fairness. A student might have no qualms about speaking up when they see someone being bullied, because they feel confident it's the right thing to do. But they might have qualms about telling an adult that a friend broke a minor rule, uncertain whether speaking up would help or just cause trouble.

The word usually appears in the plural: qualms. Having qualms doesn't mean you're weak or overly worried. It means your conscience is working, alerting you to pause and think carefully. Some people act without qualms, charging ahead without considering whether their actions might be wrong or hurtful. Others experience qualms so strong they can't move forward at all, stuck in doubt.

Qualms are related to your moral compass: that internal sense of right and wrong that helps guide your decisions.