# anima

/ˈænɪmɐ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/anima
Updated: 2026-08-27

## Senses

### 1. animating spirit

noun · CEFR C2 · Academic · Literary

the soul or the part of a living thing that gives it life.

For teachers: the soul or animating principle of a living organism, traditionally contrasted with the 'animus' or rational mind.

- Ancient philosophers debated whether the anima survived after the body died.
- The poet explores the concept of the anima as a breath of life that connects all sentient beings to the natural world.

Usage: Often used in philosophical or theological contexts regarding the nature of existence.

### 2. inner feminine self

noun · CEFR C2 · Technical · Academic

in psychology, the feminine part of a man's personality that stays in his unconscious mind.

For teachers: the unconscious feminine aspect of the male psyche, serving as a bridge to the collective unconscious.

- In his dreams, the man's anima appeared as a wise woman guiding him through a forest.
- Jungian analysts suggest that a man must integrate his anima to achieve psychological wholeness and emotional maturity.

Usage: Specific to Jungian analytical psychology; usually contrasted with the 'persona' or 'animus'.

## Examples

- The therapist helped him understand his anima.
- In Jungian psychology, the anima is seen as the archetype that allows a man to connect with his emotional and intuitive side.
- The protagonist's journey through the forest serves as a metaphor for the integration of his anima, allowing him to reconcile his previously rigid, rational worldview with a more holistic understanding of human nature.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.