the principle of life, feeling, thought, and action in humans, regarded as a distinct entity separate from the body, and commonly held to be separable in existence from the body; the spiritual part of humans as distinct from the physical part.
the spiritual part of humans regarded in its moral aspect, or as believed to survive death and be subject to happiness or misery in a life to come.
arguing the immortality of the soul.
the disembodied spirit of a deceased person.
He feared the soul of the deceased would haunt him.
the emotional part of human nature; the seat of the feelings or sentiments.
a human being; person.
high-mindedness; noble warmth of feeling, spirit or courage, etc.
the animating principle; the essential element or part of something.
the inspirer or moving spirit of some action, movement, etc.
the embodiment of some quality.
He was the very soul of tact.
(initial capital letter) God; the divine source of all identity and individuality.
shared ethnic awareness and pride among Black people, especially Black Americans.
deeply felt emotion, as conveyed or expressed by a performer or artist.
the spirit or immaterial part of man, the seat of human personality, intellect, will, and emotions, regarded as an entity that survives the body after death
Christianity the spiritual part of a person, capable of redemption from the power of sin through divine grace
the essential part or fundamental nature of anything
a person's feelings or moral nature as distinct from other faculties
Also called: soul music. a type of Black music resulting from the addition of jazz, gospel, and pop elements to the urban blues style
( as modifier )
a soul singer
(modifier) of or relating to Black Americans and their culture
soul brother
soul food
nobility of spirit or temperament
a man of great soul and courage
an inspiring spirit or leading figure, as of a cause or movement
a person regarded as typifying some characteristic or quality
the soul of discretion
a person; individual
an honest soul
See life
an exclamation of surprise
First recorded before 900; Middle English; Old English sāwl, sāwol; cognate with Dutch ziel, German Seele, Old Norse sāl, Gothic saiwala
The noun soul can mean an individual human being, but it can also mean essence of a human being. If you believe the soul is immortal, you believe that even when your physical body dies, some other part of you lives on. Soul shows up in various forms in all Nordic and Germanic languages, but no one knows where it originated, just like the whole idea of the soul. Philosophers and theologians have debated the exact definition of soul for ages, but it always stands for that ineffable part of a human unlimited by the body, the grandest, deepest part. Soul music is a popular form of gospel, and if you "have soul," you really feel what it is to be alive.
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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.
“Misty Green” is the first movie Rock has helmed in 12 years — a welcome return — and its title, SoCal setting and spurts of soul music announce he’s been contemplating Quentin Tarantino’s “Jackie Brown.”
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 7, 2026
Her mother Claudette McBean described her daughter as kind, loving and the "life and soul of the party".
From BBC ● Oct. 7, 2026
When Steinbeck first introduced Cathy Ames to the public in 1952, and when Elia Kazan brought his version to the screen three years later, we were only allowed the slightest glimpse into her soul.
From Salon ● Oct. 3, 2026
Fans scrutinized the British soul singer Lola Young when they discovered that her relative is the famed children’s book author Julia Donaldson.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 24, 2026
Clare felt a wash of relief at the sight of another soul, and a great wave of happiness that it was this one.
From "The Undead Fox of Deadwood Forest" by Aubrey Hartman
Soul horns and synths liven the production up, but it all underlines how far her writing and vocal performances could travel through genres.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 25, 2026
It’s two parts Prince, one part Soul Train.
From Salon ● Aug. 25, 2026
His friendship with Jazzie B saw them set up a second Soul II Soul shop in London.
From BBC ● Jun. 26, 2026
Fanone -- a former Trump supporter -- has spoken repeatedly about the trauma he experienced during the uprising, including in his 2022 memoir "Hold the Line: The Insurrection and One Cop's Battle for America's Soul."
From Barron's ● Jun. 17, 2026
“If you know about love, you must also know about the Soul of the World, because it’s made of love.”
From "The Alchemist" by Paulo Coelho
Together the Bakkers spoke of the souls saved and the hardships overcome by those who put their lives in the hands of the Lord.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 6, 2026
They are both only too happy to emphasise it with their messages, retro or not, designed to show the true souls of their tribes.
From BBC ● Oct. 3, 2026
“Scammed” doesn’t pass judgment on the people who’ve been scammed—it’s evident that they’re hard enough on themselves, though some of the braver souls submit to telling their stories.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 24, 2026
"It is a situation that fills our souls with great sorrow and pain. We have been... providing support to the families," said local mayor Jacqueline Romero.
From BBC ● Sep. 12, 2026
Try to befriend some of those nasty souls?
From "The Undead Fox of Deadwood Forest" by Aubrey Hartman
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.
