spirit

American  

[spir-it] / ˈspɪr ɪt /

noun

1. the principle of conscious life; the vital principle in humans, animating the body or mediating between body and soul.

2. the incorporeal part of humans.

   present in spirit though absent in body.

   Synonyms:

   essence, consciousness, mind, life

3. the soul regarded as separating from the body at death.

4. conscious, incorporeal being, as opposed to matter.

   the world of spirit.

5. a supernatural, incorporeal being, especially one inhabiting a place, object, etc., or having a particular character.

   evil spirits.

   Synonyms:

   shade, phantom, apparition

6. a fairy, sprite, or elf.

   Synonyms:

   hobgoblin, goblin

7. an angel or demon.

   Synonyms:

   genius

8. an attitude or principle that inspires, animates, or pervades thought, feeling, or action.

   the spirit of reform.

9. (initial capital letter) the divine influence as an agency working in the human heart.

10. a divine, inspiring, or animating being or influence. Numbers 11:25; Isaiah 32:15.

11. (initial capital letter) the third person of the Trinity; Holy Spirit.

12. the soul or heart as the seat of feelings or sentiments, or as prompting to action.

    a man of broken spirit.

13. spirits, feelings or mood with regard to exaltation or depression.

    low spirits; good spirits.

14. excellent disposition or attitude in terms of vigor, courage, firmness of intent, etc.; mettle.

    That's the spirit!

    Synonyms:

    enterprise, fire, ardor, zeal, energy, enthusiasm

15. temper or disposition.

    meek in spirit.

    Synonyms:

    humor, mood, attitude

16. an individual as characterized by a given attitude, disposition, character, action, etc..

    A few brave spirits remained to face the danger.

17. the dominant tendency or character of anything.

    the spirit of the age.

    Synonyms:

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

18. vigorous sense of membership in a group.

    college spirit.

19. the general meaning or intent of a statement, document, etc. (letter ).

    the spirit of the law.

    Synonyms:

    purport, significance, intention

20. Chemistry. the essence or active principle of a substance as extracted in liquid form, especially by distillation.

21. Often spirits a strong distilled alcoholic liquor.

22. Chiefly British. alcohol.

23. Pharmacology. a solution in alcohol of an essential or volatile principle; essence.

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

25. the Spirit, God

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adjective

1. pertaining to something that works by burning alcoholic spirits.

   a spirit stove.

2. of or relating to spiritualist bodies or activities.

verb (used with object)

1. to animate with fresh ardor or courage; inspirit.

2. to encourage; urge on or stir up, as to action.

3. to carry off mysteriously or secretly (often followed by away oroff ).

   His captors spirited him away.

idioms

1. out of spirits, in low spirits; depressed.

   We were feeling out of spirits after so many days of rain.

spirit ¹ British  

/ ˈspɪrɪt /

noun

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

2. temperament or disposition

   truculent in spirit

3. liveliness; mettle

   they set to it with spirit

4. the fundamental, emotional, and activating principle of a person; will

   the experience broke his spirit

5. a sense of loyalty or dedication

   team spirit

6. the prevailing element; feeling

   a spirit of joy pervaded the atmosphere

7. state of mind or mood; attitude

   he did it in the wrong spirit

8. (plural) an emotional state, esp with regard to exaltation or dejection

   in high spirits

9. a person characterized by some activity, quality, or disposition

   a leading spirit of the movement

10. the deeper more significant meaning as opposed to a pedantic interpretation

    the spirit of the law

11. that which constitutes a person's intangible being as contrasted with his physical presence

    I shall be with you in spirit

12. 1. an incorporeal being, esp the soul of a dead person

    2. ( as modifier )

       spirit world

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verb

1. to carry off mysteriously or secretly

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

spirit ² British  

/ ˈspɪrɪt /

noun

1. (often plural) any distilled alcoholic liquor such as brandy, rum, whisky, or gin

2. chem

   1. an aqueous solution of ethanol, esp one obtained by distillation

   2. the active principle or essence of a substance, extracted as a liquid, esp by distillation

3. pharmacol

   1. a solution of a volatile substance, esp a volatile oil, in alcohol

   2. ( as modifier )

      a spirit burner

4. alchemy any of the four substances sulphur, mercury, sal ammoniac, or arsenic

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Spirit ³ British  

/ ˈspɪrɪt /

noun

1. 1. another name for the Holy Spirit

   2. God, esp when regarded as transcending material limitations

2. the influence of God or divine things upon the soul

3. Christian Science God or divine substance

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spirit More Idioms  

More idioms and phrases containing spirit

• kindred spirit

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Related Words

See ghost.

Other Word Forms

• nonspirit noun
• outspirit verb (used with object)
• spiritlike adjective
• unspiriting adjective

Etymology

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

Explanation

If someone tells you you have a sagging spirit, that means your life-force seems to be missing. Spirit comes from the Latin word for "breath," and like breath, spirit is considered a fundamental part of being alive. Some people think of the spirit as a presence that's separate from the body, which is why spirit is another word for ghost. We also use spirit to mean "the general mood or intent," like when you tell your former enemy, "I approach you in the spirit of kindness."

Example Sentences

The head of the British Beer and Pub Association, Emma McClarkin, said the extension would allow people to "come together, boost community spirit and enjoy a summer of sport".

From BBC • Apr. 12, 2026

The spirit of outdoor camping is in Coachella’s DNA.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 10, 2026

On 16 December 1965, to celebrate the first successful space rendezvous, astronauts Thomas Stafford and Wally Schirra surprised mission control with a little festive spirit.

From BBC • Apr. 10, 2026

But Christendom most accurately captures the spirit of the idea: organizing the world along medieval civilizational lines.

From Slate • Apr. 9, 2026

By the end of the week I had worked myself into such a sickness of body and spirit that Mr. Moorman stopped at my bench to ask if something were wrong.

From "The Hiding Place" by Corrie ten Boom

Related Words

• character
• courage
• energy
• enthusiasm
• essence
• heart
• humor
• life
• mood
• morale
• quality
• resolve
• temperament
• vigor
• vitality
• warmth
• will