spirit

[ spir-it ]

/ ˈspɪr ɪt /

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See synonyms for: spirit / spirited / spiriting / spirits on Thesaurus.com

noun

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 (def. 3).

any of certain subtle fluids formerly supposed to permeate the body.

the Spirit, God

adjective

pertaining to something that works by burning alcoholic spirits: a spirit stove.

of or relating to spiritualist bodies or activities.

verb (used with object)

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 or off): His captors spirited him away.

OTHER WORDS FOR spirit

2 life, mind, consciousness, essence.

5 apparition, phantom, shade.

6 goblin, hobgoblin.

7 genius.

14 enthusiasm, energy, zeal, ardor, fire, enterprise.

15 attitude, mood, humor.

17 nature, drift, tenor, gist, essence, sense, complexion.

19 intention, significance, purport.

See synonyms for spirit on Thesaurus.com

QUIZ

CAN YOU ANSWER THESE COMMON GRAMMAR DEBATES?

There are grammar debates that never die; and the ones highlighted in the questions in this quiz are sure to rile everyone up once again. Do you know how to answer the questions that cause some of the greatest grammar debates?

Question 1 of 7

Which sentence is correct?

His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Idioms about spirit

out of spirits, in low spirits; depressed: We were feeling out of spirits after so many days of rain.

Origin of spirit

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

synonym study for spirit

5. See ghost.

OTHER WORDS FROM spirit

spir·it·like, adjectivenon·spir·it, nounoutspirit, verb (used with object)un·spir·it·ing, adjective

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH spirit

spirit , sprite

Words nearby spirit

spirelet, spireme, Spires, spiriferous, spirillum, spirit, spirit away, Spirit Cave, spirit compass, spirited, spirit gum

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use spirit in a sentence

She said she agreed with the spirit of what Barrera was saying but warned she didn’t think that was the whole story about what happened to those ambitious students.
When a Calculus Class Abruptly Became Ceramics at Lincoln High|Scott Lewis|September 16, 2020|Voice of San Diego
Our version of the spirit streamlines the process for the home bar but still brings out the chestnuts’ rich, toasty qualities.
Why you should be adding salt to your cocktails|By Céline Bossart/Saveur|September 4, 2020|Popular-Science
The spirit realms became populated primarily not with animal guides but human ancestors.
An Ancient Site with Human Skulls on Display - Issue 89: The Dark Side|Jo Marchant|September 2, 2020|Nautilus
This move is likely to further accelerate MGM’s move toward a more digital future, and not just in the spirit of luring more visitors to Vegas with socially-distancing-friendly features like contactless check-ins.
A new place to WFH: Las Vegas|Michal Lev-Ram, writer|August 25, 2020|Fortune

The Ford Expedition was my test vehicle that week, and it turned out to be the perfect ride to lift my spirits.
Vehicles to ride out a pandemic|Joe Phillips|August 22, 2020|Washington Blade
Education controls the transmission of values and molds the spirit before dominating the soul.
Houellebecq’s Incendiary Novel Imagines France With a Muslim President|Pierre Assouline|January 9, 2015|DAILY BEAST
Their authors promise that your spirit will be improved, your ambition honed, and your finances maximized by their advice.
Can Self-Help Books Really Make a New You?|Lizzie Crocker|December 29, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The moment where they enter the spirit portal symbolizes their evolution from being friends to being a couple.
Yep, Korra and Asami Went in the Spirit Portal and Probably Kissed|Melissa Leon|December 25, 2014|DAILY BEAST
He should be free, filling the world with happiness, love and his fighting spirit.
Behind Bars for the Holidays: 11 Political Prisoners We Want to See Free In 2015|Movements.Org|December 25, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Then I read aloud from something that captures the Holiday Spirit.
Congress’ Gift That Keeps on Giving|P. J. O’Rourke|December 20, 2014|DAILY BEAST
In Luke it is said, “And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom.”
Solomon and Solomonic Literature|Moncure Daniel Conway
This seems to be contrary to the spirit and intent of the act, which is primarily to centralize reserves in Federal Reserve Banks.
Readings in Money and Banking|Chester Arthur Phillips
Thou fell spirit of pride, prejudice, ignorance, and mauvaise honte!
Blackwood's Edinburgh Magazine, Volume 60, No. 372, October 1846|Various
Light, the symbol of life's joy, seems to be the first language in which the spirit of beauty speaks to a child.
Children's Ways|James Sully
But green Chartreuse unhappily is not innocent; it is more than a spirit, it is a powerful drug.
The Pit Town Coronet, Volume I (of 3)|Charles James Wills

British Dictionary definitions for spirit (1 of 3)

spirit¹

/ (ˈspɪrɪt) /

noun

the force or principle of life that animates the body of living things

temperament or dispositiontruculent in spirit

liveliness; mettlethey set to it with spirit

the fundamental, emotional, and activating principle of a person; willthe experience broke his spirit

a sense of loyalty or dedicationteam spirit

the prevailing element; feelinga spirit of joy pervaded the atmosphere

state of mind or mood; attitudehe did it in the wrong spirit

(plural) an emotional state, esp with regard to exaltation or dejectionin high spirits

a person characterized by some activity, quality, or dispositiona leading spirit of the movement

the deeper more significant meaning as opposed to a pedantic interpretationthe spirit of the law

that which constitutes a person's intangible being as contrasted with his physical presenceI shall be with you in spirit

an incorporeal being, esp the soul of a dead person
(as modifier)spirit world

verb (tr)

(usually foll by away or off) to carry off mysteriously or secretly

(often foll by up) to impart animation or determination to

Word Origin for spirit

C13: from Old French esperit, from Latin spīritus breath, spirit; related to spīrāre to breathe

British Dictionary definitions for spirit (2 of 3)

spirit²

/ (ˈspɪrɪt) /

noun

(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

Word Origin for spirit

C14: special use of spirit 1, name applied to alchemical substances (as in sense 4), hence extended to distilled liquids

British Dictionary definitions for spirit (3 of 3)

Spirit

/ (ˈspɪrɪt) /

noun the Spirit

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

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

Other Idioms and Phrases with spirit

spirit

In addition to the idioms beginning with spirit

spirit away
spirit is willing but the flesh is weak, the

also see:

kindred spirit

spirit

OTHER WORDS FOR spirit

Idioms about spirit

Origin of spirit

synonym study for spirit

OTHER WORDS FROM spirit

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH spirit

Words nearby spirit

Words related to spirit

How to use spirit in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for spirit (1 of 3)

Word Origin for spirit

British Dictionary definitions for spirit (2 of 3)

Word Origin for spirit

British Dictionary definitions for spirit (3 of 3)

Other Idioms and Phrases with spirit