spirited

American  

[spir-i-tid] / ˈspɪr ɪ tɪd /

adjective

1. having or showing mettle, courage, vigor, liveliness, etc..

   a spirited defense of poetry.

   Synonyms:

   mettlesome, courageous, vigorous, lively, energetic, active, ardent, vivacious, animated

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spirited British  

/ ˈspɪrɪtɪd /

adjective

1. displaying animation, vigour, or liveliness

2. (in combination) characterized by mood, temper, or disposition as specified

   high-spirited

   public-spirited

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Other Word Forms

• nonspirited adjective
• nonspiritedly adverb
• nonspiritedness noun
• quasi-spirited adjective
• quasi-spiritedly adverb
• spiritedly adverb
• spiritedness noun
• unspirited adjective
• unspiritedly adverb

Etymology

Origin of spirited

First recorded in 1590–1600; spirit + -ed ³

Example Sentences

U.S. officials were working on legal language to mitigate the risk Boeing components could be spirited from Belarus into Russia.

From The Wall Street Journal

The record opens with a spirited British vaudeville-esque rendition of an original ditty called “Everywhere it’s Christmas,” which informs the listener that “Everywhere it’s Christmas/at the end of every year.”

From Salon

Coogan duly obliged in the famous nasal voice of the fictional Norwich broadcaster: "Now, I wouldn't call Rob's style 'sports driving' exactly, but it's certainly very spirited."

From BBC

Los Angeles is the baseball king for a second consecutive season, outlasting the relentlessly spirited Toronto Blue Jays in a seven-game classic.

From The Wall Street Journal

A woman behind me quietly sobbed as she sang and clapped along to the more spirited songs.

From BBC

Related Words

• animated
• bold
• bright
• courageous
• energetic
• enthusiastic
• fearless
• fiery
• gutsy
• passionate
• peppy
• resolute
• spunky
• vigorous