genius loci

[ gen-i-oos -loh-kee; English jee-nee-uhs -loh-sahy, -kahy ]

/ ˈgɛn ɪˌʊs ˈloʊ ki; English ˈdʒi ni əs ˈloʊ saɪ, -kaɪ /

Save This Word!

noun Latin.

the guardian spirit of a place.

the distinctive character or atmosphere of a place with reference to the impression that it makes on the mind.

QUIZ

ARE YOU A TRUE BLUE CHAMPION OF THESE "BLUE" SYNONYMS?

We could talk until we're blue in the face about this quiz on words for the color "blue," but we think you should take the quiz and find out if you're a whiz at these colorful terms.

Question 1 of 8

Which of the following words describes “sky blue”?

navy

beryl

azure

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Meet Grammar Coach

Write or paste your essay, email, or story into Grammar Coach and get grammar help

Improve Your Writing

Meet Grammar CoachImprove Your Writing

Words nearby genius loci

genitourinary medicine, genitourinary system, geniture, genius, Genius is one percent inspiration and ninety-nine percent perspiration, genius loci, genizah, Genk, Genl., Gen. Mtg., Gennaro

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021

How to use genius loci in a sentence

Bonauto, now an official MacArthur genius, is rightly known as the Thurgood Marshall of the marriage movement.
The Real Story Behind the Fight for Marriage Equality|E.J. Graff|December 30, 2014|DAILY BEAST
And this song is just absolute genius and totally universal.
Yes, I Like Christmas Music. Stop Laughing.|Michael Tomasky|December 24, 2014|DAILY BEAST
But the comedic genius was wrong; success in most dimensions of the human enterprise is showing up at the right time.
Why We Should Delay The Israel-Palestinian Peace Process|Aaron David Miller|December 19, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The problem is, how do you find a movie narrative that can explain genius, British or otherwise?
Why Can’t Movies Capture Genius?|Clive Irving|December 14, 2014|DAILY BEAST

In that case the device was to put the genius in opposition to a majority of established cultural tastes and codes.
Why Can’t Movies Capture Genius?|Clive Irving|December 14, 2014|DAILY BEAST
God has placed the genius of women in their hearts; because the works of this genius are always works of love.
Pearls of Thought|Maturin M. Ballou
When Yima pressed the earth with this ring, the genius of the Earth, Aramaîti, responded to his wish and order.
Solomon and Solomonic Literature|Moncure Daniel Conway
Even genius, however, needs direction and adjustment to secure the most perfect and reliable results.
Expressive Voice Culture|Jessie Eldridge Southwick
The universal ignorance of the working class broke down the aspiring force of genius.
The Unsolved Riddle of Social Justice|Stephen Leacock
However, I have felt some comfort in knowing that it is not Liszt's genius alone that makes him such a player.
Music-Study in Germany|Amy Fay

British Dictionary definitions for genius loci

genius loci

/ Latin (ˈdʒiːnɪəs ˈləʊsaɪ) /

noun

the guardian spirit of a place

the special atmosphere of a particular place

Word Origin for genius loci

genius of the place

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012