Spirit Meaning, Definition, and Synonyms

Spirit is a flexible word with several distinct meanings. It can refer to the atmosphere of a place, a supernatural being, energy and liveliness, a person’s mood, or the intended meaning of something said or written.

Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-17. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.

Pronunciation

AI-generated pronunciation audio (OpenAI).

Accent: General American English

IPA: /ˈspɪrɪt/

Easy pronunciation: SPIR-it (approximate spelling).

Stress: Stress the first syllable: SPIR-it.

Noun meaning the mood or feeling a place or situation gives you.

Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-17. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.

Spirit Meaning

the mood or feeling a place or situation gives you

Part of speech: noun

Definition: the general atmosphere of a place or situation and the effect that it has on people

Example: There was a relaxed spirit at the meeting.

Synonyms for this meaning:

feel — Works in the sense of overall atmosphere or mood.
feeling — Can substitute when talking about the emotional atmosphere of a place or event.
flavor — Used figuratively for the character or feel of something.
flavour — British spelling of flavor; same figurative sense.
tone — A natural substitute when referring to the mood or character of a situation.

Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: uncertain — manual review needed. Checked: 2026-10-17. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.

Other Meanings of Spirit

Meaning 2

a ghost or supernatural being

Part of speech: noun

Definition: any incorporeal supernatural being that can become visible (or audible) to human beings

Example: People say the old house is haunted by a spirit.

Synonyms for this meaning:

disembodied spirit — A direct synonym for this supernatural sense.

Meaning 3

to encourage or energize

Part of speech: verb

Definition: infuse with spirit

Example: The coach spirited the team up before the final game.

Synonyms for this meaning:

inspirit — A direct verb synonym meaning to enliven or encourage.
spirit up — A phrasal verb form with the same general meaning, though less common.

Meaning 4

energy and liveliness

Part of speech: noun

Definition: animation and energy in action or expression

Example: She danced with real spirit.

Synonyms for this meaning:

life — Works when spirit means liveliness or vigor.
liveliness — A close match for energetic, animated behavior.
sprightliness — A more literary synonym for lively energy.

Meaning 5

a person's mood or emotional condition

Part of speech: noun

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

Example: Her spirits lifted when she heard the news.

Synonyms for this meaning:

emotional state — A direct equivalent for this sense, though broader and less idiomatic.

Meaning 6

a tendency or attitude

Part of speech: noun

Definition: an inclination or tendency of a certain kind

Example: He spoke in a generous spirit.

Synonyms for this meaning:

heart — Can fit in some figurative uses, but it is less precise and more idiomatic than spirit.

Meaning 7

the real meaning or intent behind words

Part of speech: noun

Definition: the intended meaning of a communication

Example: Try to follow the spirit of the rule, not just the exact words.

Synonyms for this meaning:

intent — A strong match for intended meaning.
purport — A close synonym meaning the intended or apparent meaning.

Meaning 8

the deepest force that shapes character

Part of speech: noun

Definition: a fundamental emotional and activating principle determining one's character

Example: Her generous spirit made her widely admired.

Meaning 9

the life force in a living being

Part of speech: noun

Definition: the vital principle or animating force within living things

Example: Many cultures believe the spirit leaves the body at death.

Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: inaccurate — correction needed. Checked: 2026-10-17. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.

Spirit Synonyms

Similar Meaning

feel
feeling
tone

supernatural being

disembodied spirit

to encourage or energize

inspirit
spirit up

energy and liveliness

life
liveliness
sprightliness

mood or emotional condition

emotional state

tendency or attitude

heart

intended meaning

intent
purport

Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: uncertain — manual review needed. Checked: 2026-10-17. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.

Common Mistakes

Do not confuse spirit meaning 'mood' with spirits meaning alcoholic drinks.
Do not use spirit in the supernatural sense when the text is really about enthusiasm or character.
Do not mix up the intended-meaning sense with the mood or energy senses.

Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-17. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does spirit mean in everyday English?

Most often, spirit means the mood or atmosphere of a place, a person’s energy, or a person’s emotional state depending on context.

What is a synonym for spirit?

The best synonym depends on the sense. For atmosphere, common choices are feel and tone. For energy, lively words like liveliness work better. For mood, emotional state is a close match.

What is the spiritual meaning of spirit?

In a spiritual or religious context, spirit can mean a supernatural being or the life force believed to exist in a person or living thing.

Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-17. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.