Spirit meaning

What does “spirit” mean? Definitions, examples, synonyms and opposites.

“spirit” is a noun and verb with 9 meanings. Its most common meaning is: the vital principle or animating force within living things.

spirit

noun

  1. the vital principle or animating force within living things

  2. the general atmosphere of a place or situation and the effect that it has on people

    “the feel of the city excited him”

    “a clergyman improved the tone of the meeting”

  3. a fundamental emotional and activating principle determining one's character

  4. any incorporeal supernatural being that can become visible (or audible) to human beings

  5. the state of a person's emotions (especially with regard to pleasure or dejection)

    “his emotional state depended on her opinion”

    “he was in good spirits”

  6. the intended meaning of a communication

  7. animation and energy in action or expression

    “it was a heavy play and the actors tried in vain to give life to it”

  8. an inclination or tendency of a certain kind

    “he had a change of heart”

    Synonymsheart

verb

  1. infuse with spirit

    “The company spirited him up”

Source: WordNet 3.1, Princeton University