animal spirits

American  

noun

1. exuberance arising from an excess of energy; vivacity and good humor.

   The children romped on the lawn, full of animal spirits.

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animal spirits British  

plural noun

1. cheerful and exuberant boisterousness

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Etymology

Origin of animal spirits

First recorded in 1535–45

Example Sentences

Notice the break above a short term downtrend on the ratio chart against the S&P 500, which is another good sign of returning animal spirits.

From Barron's • Apr. 22, 2026

None of this means that the investment markets’ performance is always driven by animal spirits.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 6, 2026

“All of these, not to mention the S&P 500’s linear rally nearing 40% from the 4/7 intraday low, have ignited corporate and investor animal spirits alike,” he says.

From MarketWatch • Oct. 13, 2025

Perhaps his presence unleashed the animal spirits at Bethpage Black.

From The Wall Street Journal • Sep. 29, 2025

I was young, and, despite dread, full of animal spirits; it was impossible for me to take a dark view too long.

From "Middlesex: A Novel" by Jeffrey Eugenides