Spirit - Definition, Meaning & Synonyms

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SKIP TO CONTENT spirit /ˈspɪrɪt/ /ˈspɪrɪt/ IPA guide

Other forms: spirits; spirited; spiriting

If someone tells you you have a sagging spirit, that means your life-force seems to be missing.

Spirit comes from the Latin word for "breath," and like breath, spirit is considered a fundamental part of being alive. Some people think of the spirit as a presence that's separate from the body, which is why spirit is another word for ghost. We also use spirit to mean "the general mood or intent," like when you tell your former enemy, "I approach you in the spirit of kindness."

Definitions of spirit

noun the vital principle or animating force within living things see moresee less types: psyche, soul the immaterial part of a person; the actuating cause of an individual life ghost the visible disembodied soul of a dead person type of: life principle, vital principle a hypothetical force to which the functions and qualities peculiar to living things are sometimes ascribed
noun any incorporeal supernatural being that can become visible (or audible) to human beings synonyms: disembodied spirit see moresee less types: show 25 types... hide 25 types... control a spiritual agency that is assumed to assist the medium during a seance evil spirit a spirit tending to cause harm banshee, banshie (Irish folklore) a female spirit who wails to warn of impending death djinn, djinni, djinny, genie, jinnee, jinni (Islam) an invisible spirit mentioned in the Koran and believed by Muslims to inhabit the earth and influence mankind by appearing in the form of humans or animals familiar, familiar spirit a spirit (usually in animal form) that acts as an assistant to a witch or wizard peri (Persian folklore) a supernatural being descended from fallen angels and excluded from paradise until penance is done apparition, fantasm, phantasm, phantasma, phantom, specter, spectre a ghostly appearing figure presence an invisible spiritual being felt to be nearby kachina a deified spirit of the Pueblo people numen a spirit believed to inhabit an object or preside over a place (especially in ancient Roman religion) python a soothsaying spirit or a person who is possessed by such a spirit silvan, sylvan a spirit that lives in or frequents the woods thunderbird (mythology) the spirit of thunder and lightning believed by some Native Americans to take the shape of a great bird zombi, zombi spirit, zombie, zombie spirit (voodooism) a spirit or supernatural force that reanimates a dead body bad fairy a fairy that tends to cause harm bogey, bogie, bogy an evil spirit daemon, daimon, demon, devil, fiend an evil supernatural being cacodaemon, cacodemon an evil spirit ghoul an evil spirit or ghost goblin, hob, hobgoblin (folklore) a small grotesque supernatural creature that makes trouble for human beings kelpie, kelpy (Scottish folklore) water spirit in the form of a horse that likes to drown its riders lamia, vampire (folklore) a corpse that rises at night to drink the blood of the living shaitan, shaytan (Islam) a rebellious jinni who leads men astray eblis (Islam) the principal evil jinni in Islamic mythology Flying Dutchman the captain of a phantom ship (the Flying Dutchman) who was condemned to sail against the wind until Judgment Day type of: spiritual being, supernatural being an incorporeal being believed to have powers to affect the course of human events
noun the state of a person's emotions (especially with regard to pleasure or dejection) “he was in good spirits” “his spirit rose” synonyms: emotional state see moresee less types: show 12 types... hide 12 types... embarrassment the state of being embarrassed (usually by some financial inadequacy) ecstasy, exaltation, rapture, raptus, transport a state of being carried away by overwhelming emotion gratification, satisfaction state of being gratified or satisfied felicity, happiness state of well-being characterized by emotions ranging from contentment to intense joy state a state of depression or agitation unhappiness state characterized by emotions ranging from mild discontentment to deep grief quality of life your personal satisfaction (or dissatisfaction) with the cultural or intellectual conditions under which you live (as distinct from material comfort) comfort satisfaction or physical well-being provided by a person or thing beatification, beatitude, blessedness a state of supreme happiness embitterment the state of being embittered sadness, sorrow, sorrowfulness the state of being sad radiance an attractive combination of good health and happiness type of: emotion any strong feeling
noun a fundamental emotional and activating principle determining one's character see moresee less types: show 12 types... hide 12 types... braveness, bravery, courage, courageousness a quality of spirit that enables you to face danger or pain without showing fear cowardice, cowardliness the trait of lacking courage heart, mettle, nerve, spunk the courage to carry on gallantry, heroism, valiance, valiancy, valor, valorousness, valour the qualities of a hero or heroine; exceptional or heroic courage when facing danger (especially in battle) dauntlessness, intrepidity resolute courageousness Dutch courage courage resulting from intoxication stoutheartedness the trait of having a courageous spirit fearlessness the trait of feeling no fear cravenness meanspirited cowardice fearfulness the trait of being afraid dastardliness despicable cowardice fortitude strength of mind that enables one to endure adversity with courage type of: character, fiber, fibre the inherent complex of attributes that determines a person's moral and ethical actions and reactions
noun an inclination or tendency of a certain kind synonyms: heart see moresee less type of: disposition, temperament your usual mood
noun animation and energy in action or expression synonyms: life, liveliness, sprightliness see moresee less types: show 16 types... hide 16 types... pertness quality of being lively and confident airiness, delicacy lightness in movement or manner alacrity, briskness, smartness liveliness and eagerness energy, muscularity, vigor, vigour, vim an imaginative lively style (especially style of writing) elan enthusiastic and assured vigor and liveliness esprit liveliness of mind or spirit breeziness, jauntiness a breezy liveliness buoyancy, effervescence, irrepressibility irrepressible liveliness and good spirit high-spiritedness exuberant liveliness ebullience, enthusiasm, exuberance eager enjoyment or approval ginger, pep, peppiness liveliness and energy verve, vitality an energetic style vivacity high spirits and animation mettlesomeness courageous high-spiritedness lyricism unrestrained and exaggerated enthusiasm madness, rabidity, rabidness unrestrained excitement or enthusiasm type of: animation, brio, invigoration, spiritedness, vivification quality of being active or spirited or alive and vigorous
noun the general atmosphere of a place or situation and the effect that it has on people synonyms: feel, feeling, flavor, flavour, look, smell, tone see moresee less types: Hollywood a flashy vulgar tone or atmosphere believed to be characteristic of the American film industry Zeitgeist the spirit of the time; the spirit characteristic of an age or generation type of: ambiance, ambience, atmosphere a particular environment or surrounding influence
noun the intended meaning of a communication synonyms: intent, purport see moresee less type of: import, meaning, significance, signification the message that is intended or expressed or signified
verb infuse with spirit “The company spirited him up” synonyms: inspirit, spirit up see moresee less type of: animate, enliven, invigorate, liven, liven up make lively

Pronunciation US /ˈspɪrɪt/ UK /ˈspɪrɪt/ Cite this entry Style: MLA

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Copy citation DISCLAIMER: These example sentences appear in various news sources and books to reflect the usage of the word ‘spirit'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Vocabulary.com or its editors. Send us feedback Word Family

Vocabulary lists containing spirit

Native American History - Introductory

Practice this list to learn the basic vocabulary of Native American history. You'll review key places and people in Native American culture, including pueblos, tribes, and shamans.

Native American History - Middle School and High School

Practice this list to learn the vocabulary of Native American history. Review tribe names, as well as features of Native American life and culture, including pueblos, shamans, canoes, and wigwams.

Chinese History - Introductory

Review these words and take a tour of China from the imperial dynasties to the present day. You'll learn about the silk trade, pagodas, calligraphy, communism, and more.

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