spirit

SPIR-it/ˈspɪɹɪt/

16 meanings of spirit

1
supernatural beingnouncountable or uncountable
A ghost, fairy, angel, or other magical being, often one with no body.
Like a ghost in a story: there, but you cannot touch it.
Many people believe a spirit can haunt an old house.
The children were scared of the spirits in the story.
Similarghost, phantom, specter, apparition, wraith
2
state of mindnouncountable or uncountableplural
The state of someone's mind or mood, or how they feel inside.
Like the weather inside your head: sunny or cloudy.
My grandmother has a calm and gentle spirit.
Her spirits rose when she heard the good news.
UsageSay in good spirits for a happy mood. A gentle spirit means a gentle nature.
Similarmood, disposition, temper, nature, temperament
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3
overall feelnouncountable or uncountable
The special character or feeling of something, or the way something is done.
Like the special flavor that makes one party feel different from another.
The party was planned in the spirit of the 1920s.
The new library keeps the cozy spirit of the old one.
UsageOften in in the spirit of something.
Similaressence, character, atmosphere, feel, ethos
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4
nouncountable or uncountable
The soul of a person or animal, thought of as separate from the body.
Like the inside 'you' that makes you who you are, not your body.
Some people believe the spirit leaves the body after death.
He prayed for the spirits of those who had died.
UsagePeople say a dead person's spirit lives on.
Similarsoul, psyche
Oppositebody, flesh
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5
alcoholnouncountable or uncountable
A strong alcoholic drink such as vodka or rum. It can also mean a liquid that turns to gas easily.
Like perfume that quickly fades into the air.
The bottle was full of a clear spirit that smelled sharp.
They stocked the bar with wine, beer, and spirits.
UsageSay beer, wine and spirits. Vodka is a spirit.
Similarliquor, alcohol
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6
vigornouncountable or uncountable
Energy, courage, and eagerness in the way someone acts.
Like the burst of power you feel when you sprint as fast as you can.
The runners attacked the final hill with real spirit.
She defended her ideas with fierce spirit.
UsageSay they played with spirit.
Similarenergy, vigor, enthusiasm, courage, verve
Oppositeapathy, lethargy, listlessness, timidity
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7
intent behind rulesnouncountable or uncountable
The real meaning or aim behind a rule or text, not just its exact words.
Like knowing what your mom really meant, not just the words she said.
They kept to the spirit of the game, not just its written rules.
She understood the spirit of her grandmother's wishes.
UsageSay the spirit of the rules, meaning what they are really for.
Similarintent, intention, essence, purpose
Oppositeletter
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8
lively personnouncountable or uncountable
A lively, active person with a strong or unusual character.
Like that one friend who is always full of life and never boring.
Grandma was a bold spirit who loved adventure.
He's a free spirit who never follows the crowd.
UsageSay a free spirit for someone who lives their own way.
Similarsoul, character
Note

Less common meanings

9
noununcountable
The proud, loyal feeling that people share when they belong to a team, school, or other group.
Everyone wore blue on Friday to show their school spirit.
The camp games are meant to build team spirit among the new kids.
UsageSay team spirit or school spirit.
Similarcamaraderie, solidarity, pride, morale
10
whisk awayverbtransitive
To take someone or something away quickly and secretly.
Like making something vanish in a magic trick: here one second, gone the next.
Guards spirit the star away before the fans arrive.
They spirited the documents out of the building at night.
UsageSay spirit someone away.
Similarwhisk, smuggle, sneak
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11
encourageverbtransitive
To fill someone with energy and courage, often said as 'spirit up.'
[H]e left behind many Officers and private Men, vvho novv ſpirit-up and aſſiſt thoſe obſtinate People to continue in their Rebellion.
1714, [Jonathan Swift], The Publick Spirit of the Whigs: Set forth in Their Generous Encouragement of the Author of the CrisisHere, spirit-up means to stir up and encourage people.
Civil dissensions often spirit the ambition of private men.
Here, spirit means to stir up or encourage.
Similarhearten, rouse, encourage, cheer, buoy
Oppositedishearten, discourage, dispirit
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12
nounobsoletecountable or uncountable
The air a person breathes, and in old use also breath or life itself.
For else he sure had left not one aliue,>br>But all in his reuenge of spirite would depriue.
1596, Edmund Spenser, The Faerie QueeneHere, spirite means breath, the air of life, so he takes their lives.
But the milde air with season moderate / Gently attempred, and disposd so well, / That still it breathed forth sweet spirit & holesome smell.
1590, Edmund Spenser, The Faerie QueeneHere, spirit means breath or air, a sweet breeze.
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13
nounobsoletecountable or uncountable
In old grammar, an 'h' sound, or the small mark that shows it.
Be it a letter or spirit, we have great use of it.
1640, Ben Jonson, The English GrammarHere, spirit means a breathing sound like the letter h.
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14
nounobsoletecountable or uncountable
In alchemy, any of four key substances, which were sulfur, sal ammoniac, mercury and arsenic.
Note
15
nounchristianity
In Christianity, the Holy Spirit, one of the three persons that make up God. Usually written the Spirit.
The pastor prayed that the Spirit would guide the church in the coming year.
Many Christians ask the Spirit for help when they have to make a hard choice.
Note
16
noun
In dyeing, a tin-based chemical used to help fix colors in cloth.

Practice

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Origin

It comes from Latin "spiritus," which meant "breath" or "spirit."

Checked 1 Nov 2026 · 2 facts

English spirit derives ultimately from Latin spiritus, through Old French and Middle English. en.wiktionary.org
Latin spiritus meant breath or spirit. en.wiktionary.org