zeitgeist
5 synonyms for zeitgeist, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — The defining mood, set of ideas and preoccupations of a particular period in history, as shown in its culture, politics and everyday attitudes.
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.
spirit of the age
temper of the times
How to use zeitgeist
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
capture the zeitgeist
the zeitgeist of the era
tap into the zeitgeist
enter the zeitgeist
Journalistic and literary; common in reviews and cultural commentary but slightly showy in casual speech. Usually takes the definite article.
Etymology
From German Zeit "time" and Geist "spirit", literally "spirit of the time".
Full origin of zeitgeist →Frequently asked questions
How do you pronounce zeitgeist?
TSYTE-gyste. The initial z is said as "ts" in the German manner, and both vowels rhyme with "eye". English speakers who say ZYTE-gyste are also widely understood.
What is the difference between zeitgeist and culture?
Culture is the whole body of a society's practices, art and beliefs, and changes slowly. Zeitgeist is narrower and more temporary: the particular mood and set of concerns of one moment, which the next decade may not share.
Can something "capture the zeitgeist"?
Yes — that is the phrase's most common use. It means a book, film, song or slogan expresses exactly what people were feeling and worrying about at the time it appeared.
