spirit
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
pertaining to something that works by burning alcoholic spirits: a spirit stove.
of or relating to spiritualist bodies or activities.
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.
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
1synonym study For spirit
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 |
Other words from spirit
- spir·it·like, adjective
- non·spir·it, noun
- outspirit, verb (used with object)
- un·spir·it·ing, adjective
Words that may be confused with spirit
- spirit , sprite
Words Nearby spirit
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 DiegoOur 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-ScienceThe 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 | NautilusThis 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.
The Ford Expedition was my test vehicle that week, and it turned out to be the perfect ride to lift my spirits.
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 | THE DAILY BEASTTheir authors promise that your spirit will be improved, your ambition honed, and your finances maximized by their advice.
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 | THE DAILY BEASTHe 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 | THE DAILY BEASTThen I read aloud from something that captures the Holiday spirit.
In Luke it is said, “And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom.”
Solomon and Solomonic Literature | Moncure Daniel ConwayThis 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 PhillipsThou fell spirit of pride, prejudice, ignorance, and mauvaise honte!
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 SullyBut 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)
/ (ˈspɪrɪt) /
the force or principle of life that animates the body of living things
temperament or disposition: truculent in spirit
liveliness; mettle: they set to it with spirit
the fundamental, emotional, and activating principle of a person; will: the experience broke his spirit
a sense of loyalty or dedication: team spirit
the prevailing element; feeling: a spirit of joy pervaded the atmosphere
state of mind or mood; attitude: he did it in the wrong spirit
(plural) an emotional state, esp with regard to exaltation or dejection: in high spirits
a person characterized by some activity, quality, or disposition: a leading spirit of the movement
the deeper more significant meaning as opposed to a pedantic interpretation: the spirit of the law
that which constitutes a person's intangible being as contrasted with his physical presence: I shall be with you in spirit
an incorporeal being, esp the soul of a dead person
(as modifier): spirit world
(usually foll by away or off) to carry off mysteriously or secretly
(often foll by up) to impart animation or determination to
Origin of spirit
1British Dictionary definitions for spirit (2 of 3)
/ (ˈspɪrɪt) /
(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
Origin of spirit
2British Dictionary definitions for Spirit (3 of 3)
/ (ˈspɪrɪt) /
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
In addition to the idioms beginning with spirit
- spirit away
- spirit is willing but the flesh is weak, the
also see:
- kindred spirit
The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
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