spirituality

American  

[spir-i-choo-al-i-tee] / ˌspɪr ɪ tʃuˈæl ɪ ti /

noun

spiritualities plural

1. the quality or fact of being spiritual.

   Life in modern society is all work and no spirituality.

2. incorporeal or immaterial nature.

3. predominantly spiritual character as shown in thought, life, etc.; spiritual tendency or tone.

4. Often spiritualities. property or revenue of the church or of an ecclesiastic in their official capacity.

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spirituality British  

/ ˌspɪrɪtjʊˈælɪtɪ /

noun

1. the state or quality of being dedicated to God, religion, or spiritual things or values, esp as contrasted with material or temporal ones

2. the condition or quality of being spiritual

3. a distinctive approach to religion or prayer

   the spirituality of the desert Fathers

4. (often plural) Church property or revenue or a Church benefice

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• nonspirituality
  noun
• superspirituality
  noun
• unspirituality
  noun

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• spiritualities
  plural

Etymology

Origin of spirituality

First recorded in 1375–1425; late Middle English from Medieval Latin spīrituālitās; see spiritual, -ity

Explanation

Spirituality has to do with the spirit, not as in ghosts, but as in the essence of being human — your soul or your inner life. Spirituality often has to do with religion, but it doesn't have to. You might say, "I'm not religious; but I have a strong sense of spirituality," which might mean that you practice yoga or meditation, or you pray with a group, or you nurture your spirit by spending time in nature. Religions usually have defined beliefs, rituals, and guidelines; spirituality is more individual.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

spirituality spiritualities

In discussing with Izzy his spirituality, Lev reflects on Jewish history: “It’s never been a straight line and it’s never meant only one fixed thing,” he says.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 2, 2026

In our own journeys as queer individuals of faith, we have been questioned and criticized for our sexuality, our spirituality and our challenging of traditional Christian norms.

From Salon ● Jun. 5, 2026

Both explored new directions in jazz and became fascinated with Indian spirituality.

From Barron's ● May 26, 2026

Saar’s style can best be described as some combination of surreal and grounded — infused with the spirituality that has lived at the core of her work since the ’60s.

From Los Angeles Times ● May 7, 2026

“As I see it, they have to do with love, responsibility, spirituality, awareness. And if I were healthy today, those would still be my issues. They should have been all along.”

From "Tuesdays with Morrie" by Mitch Albom

In each, Ms. Khatwa, an earth scientist and television host, skillfully and respectfully balances scientific understanding with the spiritualities tied to the mythical stories of indigenous peoples.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jan. 16, 2026

She also badly wanted something healing during the pandemic and always was drawn to spiritualities that were nature-based and women-centered.

From Washington Post ● Sep. 5, 2021

“Unlike in certain dogmatic religions where there’s a right and wrong way to be a practitioner, there isn’t that in these nondenominational spiritualities, which I think is so beautiful,” Garza said.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 10, 2019

The clergy claimed both spiritualities and temporalities from the Pope, and, being governed by ecclesiastical laws, were not like other English subjects amenable to the civil code.

From English Literature, Considered as an Interpreter of English History Designed as a Manual of Instruction by Coppee, Henry

But however that may have been, the heart of stone had usurped upon the heart of flesh in all that regarded the spiritualities of his office.

From The Posthumous Works of Thomas De Quincey, Vol. 2 by Japp, Alexander H. (Alexander Hay)