spiritual
SPIH-riht-shoorl
Spiritual (adjective) means relating to the soul, religion, or matters beyond the physical world. Example: “She found the retreat to be a deeply spiritual experience.”
adjective
1
Relating to the soul, religion, or matters beyond the physical world.
"She found the retreat to be a deeply spiritual experience."
"He turned to meditation for spiritual guidance."
"Many people feel a spiritual connection when they walk alone in the mountains."
noun
1
A religious folk song, especially one from the African American tradition.
"The choir performed a moving rendition of an old spiritual."
"Grandma hummed a spiritual while she washed the dishes."
"The singer closed the concert with a slow, powerful spiritual."
How to use spiritual
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishConcerned with the soul or religion rather than the physical or material.
Common pairings
spiritual journey
spiritual leader
sing a spiritual
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Word forms
- Plural
- spirituals
- Comparative
- more spiritual
- Superlative
- most spiritual
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She found the retreat to be a deeply _____ experience.
Etymology
From Latin spīritus, "spirit," via Old French spirituel.
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for spiritual
See all rhymes for 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.
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