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

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Etymology

Origin of spirituality

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

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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

The Dreaming, based in Rhydoldog House near Rhayader, Powys, offered retreats aimed at helping people reconnect with nature and spirituality.

From BBC ● Oct. 15, 2026

That title is something of a metaphor, about connecting to a deep, abiding spirituality accessible to us all.

From Salon ● Sep. 30, 2026

Many participants built new support networks through friends, partners, therapy, spirituality and support groups.

From MarketWatch ● Aug. 18, 2026

By using only part of the original painting and omitting the mission, I’m reclaiming space for Black and brown spirituality while acknowledging that this land existed long before colonization.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 5, 2026

Perhaps in reaction to doubts about traditional religion, various kinds of spirituality had become popular in England, even among some of Charles and Emma’s intellectual friends and family, including Hensleigh Wedgwood.

From "Charles and Emma: The Darwins' Leap of Faith" by Deborah Heiligman

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

My reputation now is gone among the disciples; I may as well go back to my old obscure life and forget all about these perplexing scenes and strange spiritualities.

From The Expositor's Bible: The Gospel of St John, Vol. II by Marcus Dods

And by this test alone will I try all theories, and dogmas, and spiritualities whatsoever—Are they in accordance with the laws of nature? 

From Yeast: a Problem by Charles Kingsley

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