soulful

[sohl-fuhl]

adjective

1. of or expressive of deep feeling or emotion.

   soulful eyes.

soulful

/ ˈsəʊlfʊl /

adjective

1. ironic,  expressing profound thoughts or feelings

   soulful music

Other Word Forms

• soulfulness noun
• soulfully adverb
• unsoulful adjective
• unsoulfully adverb
• unsoulfulness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of soulful¹

First recorded in 1860–65; soul + -ful

Example Sentences

“Brokeback Mountain” comparisons are inevitable, but will only serve to keep this tender but overly cautious tale in the shadow of that soulful gut-wrencher.

From Los Angeles Times

Reid, born in Cambridgeshire, England, had a uniquely resonant and soulful voice with an enormous range that earned him the nickname “Superlungs.”

From Los Angeles Times

The statement described Davies as “the voice and pianist behind Supertramp’s most iconic songs” and said his “soulful vocals and unmistakable touch on the Wurlitzer” formed the “heartbeat” of the band’s sound.

From Los Angeles Times

"His soulful vocals and unmistakable touch on the Wurlitzer became the heartbeat of the bands' sound."

From BBC

He looks to his bandmates for reassurance, his soulful eyes framed by his still fabulously bushy eyebrows.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• expressive 
• impassioned 
• passionate 
• stirring 
• touching