spiritual
8 synonyms and 0 antonyms for spiritual, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Adjective — Relating to the soul, religion, or matters beyond the physical world.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
How to use spiritual
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Etymology
From Latin spīritus, "spirit," via Old French spirituel.
Full origin of spiritual →Frequently asked questions
What does “spiritual” mean?
The word “spiritual” means relating to the soul, religion, or matters beyond the physical world. In plain terms, concerned with the soul or religion rather than the physical or material.
How do you pronounce “spiritual”?
“Spiritual” is pronounced SPIH-riht-shoorl (/ˈspɪɹɪt͡ʃuəl/ in IPA).
How do you use “spiritual” in a sentence?
Here is “spiritual” used in a sentence: “She found the retreat to be a deeply spiritual experience.”
What is another word for “spiritual”?
Words with a similar meaning to “spiritual” include folk song.
What part of speech is “spiritual”?
Depending on how it is used, “spiritual” can be an adjective and a noun.
Where does the word “spiritual” come from?
The word “spiritual” comes from Latin. From Latin spīritus, "spirit," via Old French spirituel.
Is “spiritual” a common word?
“Spiritual” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “spiritual” have?
“Spiritual” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: relating to the soul, religion, or matters beyond the physical world.
What is the difference between spiritual and religious?
Religious usually means following the beliefs, rituals, and institutions of an organised faith. Spiritual is broader and more personal, concerning the soul, inner meaning, and connection to something beyond the physical, with or without a formal religion. Many people describe themselves as spiritual but not religious to capture this distinction.
What does it mean to be a spiritual person?
A spiritual person is concerned with the inner life, the soul, and matters beyond the material world. This may involve religious faith, meditation, a sense of purpose, connection to nature, or a search for meaning. It centres on values and inner experience rather than purely physical or worldly things.
Can "spiritual" be a noun?
Yes. As a noun, a "spiritual" is a type of religious folk song, especially one rooted in the African American Christian tradition of the American South. As an adjective, though, it describes anything relating to the soul, religion, or the non-physical realm, which is its more common use.