spirit
SPIH-riht
Spirit (noun) means the non-physical part of a person believed to hold their character, emotions, or soul. Example: “He believed the spirit lives on after the body has died.”
noun
1
The non-physical part of a person believed to hold their character, emotions, or soul.
"He believed the spirit lives on after the body has died."
"They say a kind spirit is more valuable than a famous name."
"Her spirit remained unbroken despite the hardship."
2
A supernatural being, such as a ghost.
"In the story, a friendly spirit guards the village well."
"The children swore they saw a pale spirit floating along the corridor."
"Locals claim the old house is haunted by a restless spirit."
3
Enthusiasm, energy, or courage.
"The choir sang with great spirit, and the audience loved it."
"Show some spirit! You've nearly reached the top of the hill."
"The team played with real spirit despite being down two goals."
4
A strong distilled alcoholic drink; in the plural, distilled liquor generally.
"Rum is a spirit made from sugar cane."
"He doesn't drink spirits, only the occasional glass of wine."
"The bar stocks a wide range of spirits, from whisky to gin."
5
The true intention or meaning behind a rule or statement, as opposed to its literal wording.
"The new rule is meant to protect pupils, and we should honour its spirit."
"Although he obeyed the letter of the law, he ignored its spirit."
"They followed the spirit of the agreement even when the exact wording was unclear."
How to use spirit
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe soul or inner self, enthusiasm, a ghost, distilled liquor, or the true intent of a rule, depending on context.
Common mistake
The "spirit of the law" means its underlying intent, not its literal wording — the opposite is "the letter of the law."
Easily confused with
Common pairings
team spirit
the spirit of the law
spirits and mixers
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Word forms
- Plural
- spirits
- Third person singular
- spirits
- Past tense
- spirited
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
He believed the _____ lives on after the body has died.
Etymology
From Latin spīritus, "breath" or "spirit," from a root meaning "to blow or breathe" — related to words like inspire and respire.
Synonyms
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Related words
Frequently asked questions
What does “spirit” mean?
The word “spirit” means the non-physical part of a person believed to hold their character, emotions, or soul. In plain terms, the soul or inner self, enthusiasm, a ghost, distilled liquor, or the true intent of a rule, depending on context.
How do you pronounce “spirit”?
“Spirit” is pronounced SPIH-riht (/ˈspɪɹɪt/ in IPA).
How do you use “spirit” in a sentence?
Here is “spirit” used in a sentence: “Her spirit remained unbroken despite the hardship.”
What is another word for “spirit”?
Words with a similar meaning to “spirit” include liqueur, liquor, apparition, specter and vision.
What part of speech is “spirit”?
“Spirit” is a noun.
Where does the word “spirit” come from?
The word “spirit” comes from Latin. From Latin spīritus, "breath" or "spirit," from a root meaning "to blow or breathe" — related to words like inspire and respire.
Is “spirit” a common word?
“Spirit” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “spirit” have?
“Spirit” has 5 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the non-physical part of a person believed to hold their character, emotions, or soul.
What is the difference between spirit and soul?
The words overlap, but many traditions separate them: the soul is often seen as a person's eternal essence or identity, while the spirit is the animating life force, breath, or emotional and moral energy that drives them. In everyday use, 'spirit' also means mood or attitude, as in 'team spirit.'
What are the different meanings of 'spirit'?
Beyond the non-physical self, 'spirit' can mean a person's mood or attitude ('in good spirits'), courage and determination ('fighting spirit'), the true intention of a rule ('the spirit of the law'), a ghost or supernatural being, or a strong distilled alcohol such as whisky or gin.
What is the difference between spirit and mind?
The mind is usually linked to thought, reasoning, and mental activity, while the spirit refers to the deeper non-physical self — character, emotion, and, for many, the soul. You might say a sharp mind handles problems, whereas a strong spirit carries a person through hardship and gives them heart.
Can a person's spirit be broken?
Figuratively, yes. To 'break someone's spirit' means to crush their courage, hope, or will through hardship or defeat. It doesn't refer to physical damage but to a loss of inner strength and morale. People are also described as high-spirited, low-spirited, or in good or poor spirits.
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