animal spirits
Americannoun
plural noun
Etymology
Origin of animal spirits
First recorded in 1535–45
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The central question remains whether Japan will become an economy where reforms have unleashed more animal spirits and spurred investment.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 10, 2026
But if the war is wrapped up soon, Walsh sees animal spirits returning to boost both stock and bond markets.
From Barron's ● Apr. 3, 2026
Hartnett also referenced the troubles in credit and private equity as examples of peak liquidity and animal spirits.
From MarketWatch ● Nov. 21, 2025
Labour has a job on its hands at conference, and at the Budget, to restore the animal spirits of UK business.
From BBC ● Sep. 28, 2025
Sharpe could not abide music; something in its vibrations agitated his animal spirits and contributed to his peevish disposition.
From "The Astonishing Life of Octavian Nothing, Traitor to the Nation, Volume I: The Pox Party" by M.T. Anderson
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.
