the principle of conscious life; the vital principle in humans, animating the body or mediating between body and soul.
the incorporeal part of humans.
present in spirit though absent in body.
the soul regarded as separating from the body at death.
conscious, incorporeal being, as opposed to matter.
the world of spirit.
a supernatural, incorporeal being, especially one inhabiting a place, object, etc., or having a particular character.
evil spirits.
a fairy, sprite, or elf.
an angel or demon.
an attitude or principle that inspires, animates, or pervades thought, feeling, or action.
the spirit of reform.
(initial capital letter) the divine influence as an agency working in the human heart.
a divine, inspiring, or animating being or influence. Numbers 11:25; Isaiah 32:15.
(initial capital letter) the third person of the Trinity; Holy Spirit.
the soul or heart as the seat of feelings or sentiments, or as prompting to action.
a man of broken spirit.
spirits, feelings or mood with regard to exaltation or depression.
low spirits; good spirits.
excellent disposition or attitude in terms of vigor, courage, firmness of intent, etc.; mettle.
That's the spirit!
temper or disposition.
meek in spirit.
an individual as characterized by a given attitude, disposition, character, action, etc..
A few brave spirits remained to face the danger.
the dominant tendency or character of anything.
the spirit of the age.
vigorous sense of membership in a group.
college spirit.
the general meaning or intent of a statement, document, etc. (opposed to letter).
the spirit of the law.
Chemistry. the essence or active principle of a substance as extracted in liquid form, especially by distillation.
Often spirits a strong distilled alcoholic liquor.
Chiefly British. alcohol.
Pharmacology. a solution in alcohol of an essential or volatile principle; essence.
any of certain subtle fluids formerly supposed to permeate the body.
the Spirit, God
pertaining to something that works by burning alcoholic spirits.
a spirit stove.
of or relating to spiritualist bodies or activities.
to animate with fresh ardor or courage; inspirit.
to encourage; urge on or stir up, as to action.
to carry off mysteriously or secretly (often followed by away oroff ).
His captors spirited him away.
the force or principle of life that animates the body of living things
temperament or disposition
truculent in spirit
liveliness; mettle
they set to it with spirit
the fundamental, emotional, and activating principle of a person; will
the experience broke his spirit
a sense of loyalty or dedication
team spirit
the prevailing element; feeling
a spirit of joy pervaded the atmosphere
state of mind or mood; attitude
he did it in the wrong spirit
(plural) an emotional state, esp with regard to exaltation or dejection
in high spirits
a person characterized by some activity, quality, or disposition
a leading spirit of the movement
the deeper more significant meaning as opposed to a pedantic interpretation
the spirit of the law
that which constitutes a person's intangible being as contrasted with his physical presence
I shall be with you in spirit
an incorporeal being, esp the soul of a dead person
( as modifier )
spirit world
to carry off mysteriously or secretly
(often foll by up) to impart animation or determination to
(often plural) any distilled alcoholic liquor such as brandy, rum, whisky, or gin
chem
an aqueous solution of ethanol, esp one obtained by distillation
the active principle or essence of a substance, extracted as a liquid, esp by distillation
pharmacol
a solution of a volatile substance, esp a volatile oil, in alcohol
( as modifier )
a spirit burner
alchemy any of the four substances sulphur, mercury, sal ammoniac, or arsenic
another name for the Holy Spirit
God, esp when regarded as transcending material limitations
the influence of God or divine things upon the soul
Christian Science God or divine substance
See ghost.
First recorded in 1200–50; Middle English (noun), from Latin spīritus originally, “a breathing,” equivalent to spīri-, combining form representing spīrāre “to breathe” + -tus suffix of verb action
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."
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Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
“Every detail, from the custom Vintage Rose hue to the hand-draped silk chiffon, delicate lacework and sculpted corsetry, was created to reflect her effortless spirit while celebrating the artistry of couture.”
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 27, 2026
"In a spirit of national solidarity with the areas and communities affected, it was decided to adapt the route for the final stage from Thoiry to Paris," organisers ASO said in a statement.
From Barron's ● Jul. 26, 2026
Built in Potsdam, Germany, for astronomer Erwin Finlay Freundlich to test the theory of relativity, the observatory’s curvaceous and flowing design captured the spirit of modern science.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 24, 2026
But this three-night stand with Bill Murray, Beck, Jackson Browne and more was played in the spirit of the way fans revisit his beloved films.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 21, 2026
The continued newspaper coverage created a flood of requests for spirit circles.
From "American Spirits" by Barb Rosenstock
Craig Overton won an entertaining contest against twin brother Jamie as Trent Rockets edged a thriller by four wickets against London Spirit in the men's Hundred.
From BBC ● Jul. 26, 2026
It will follow the 2007 film of the same name starring Nicolas Cage, and its follow-up, 2011's Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance.
From BBC ● Jul. 26, 2026
In travel news this week, JetBlue won the contest to replace Spirit Airlines at New York’s LaGuardia Airport.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 24, 2026
JetBlue, you might recall, tried to buy Spirit a couple of years ago, but the deal was struck down by a federal judge.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 24, 2026
The first landslides and Spirit Lake Fifteen seconds after the earthquake, the bulge on the north face of Mount St. Helens broke loose and began to slide down the mountain.
From "Mountain of Fire" by Rebecca E. F. Barone
In his last days in prison he tried to keep up the spirits of his fellow inmates and managed to have smuggled out an audio message to his mother.
From Barron's ● Jul. 24, 2026
Some of the best support, Ghazalian said, has come from lighthearted comments, which have helped buoy their spirits.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 18, 2026
And most recently, Yuru learned about the child spirits Zashiki-Warashi, who had disguised themselves as the False Asa and his childhood friend Danji for many years.
From Salon ● Jul. 18, 2026
Mcleod continued: "He was in a lot of pain with his leg, and otherwise he was conscious the whole time, in good spirits, joking."
From BBC ● Jul. 13, 2026
Capron spoke of all the respected people who had tested the spirits and found the sisters sincere.
From "American Spirits" by Barb Rosenstock
Lifted by a spirited second-quarter showing, Mayo emerged for the second half and continued to rattle Kerry, shutting down space and flooding forward in numbers.
From BBC ● Jul. 26, 2026
Some of it, probably, was warranted or in the spirited mission of liberty, as some will undoubtedly argue, but far from all of it.
From Salon ● Jul. 4, 2026
At the top of a design from the 1430s for the tower of the Imperial Cathedral in Frankfurt, drawn in a spirited freehand, is a group of unusually cheerful gargoyles.
From The Wall Street Journal ● May 27, 2026
She, too, showed up at the draft in a flawless gown, but today all three rookies seem to have wisely cast themselves in a sort of spirited younger sibling role.
From Los Angeles Times ● May 13, 2026
Now, as she lay here, she thought of him as a boy, dreading being stolen and spirited up to the citadel.
From "Strange the Dreamer" by Laini Taylor
Parada, co-founder of the treasure-hunting outfit Finders Keepers, has long suspected the FBI of conducting a secret overnight dig for the gold and spiriting it away.
From Seattle Times ● Oct. 6, 2023
It has carried out spectacular missions such as hunting down Arab enemies through Europe, capturing Nazi war criminal Adolf Eichmann and, with agents disguised as scuba diving instructors, spiriting Ethiopian Jews out to Israel.
From Reuters ● Aug. 1, 2023
War heroes: A student spiriting supplies to soldiers.
From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 16, 2022
Instead, after a spiriting comeback attempt came short on Saturday, the Suns are heading back to Milwaukee and the Bucks have a chance to prevent this series from lasting seven.
From The Guardian ● Jul. 20, 2021
“The Reds say you’re charging ’em with spiriting away the old man’s daughter.”
From "Native Son" by Richard Wright
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
