English Reference

Word

spirit

Phoneticsspir·it, stress on the first syllable

US/ˈspɪɹət/

UK/spˈɪɹɪt/

Definitions

01soul or inner self

B1 · Intermediate Countable noun Philosophy

n. the part of a person that is not their body, often thought to continue after death.

n. the non-corporeal essence of a human being, often associated with the soul, mind, or character.

“Although he was old and weak, his spirit remained young and full of hope.”

“Many philosophical traditions debate whether the spirit is a distinct entity that can exist independently of the biological brain.”

Synonyms

soulpsycheinner self

Antonyms

02supernatural being

B1 · Intermediate Countable noun

n. a ghost or a supernatural creature that does not have a physical body.

n. a supernatural being or incorporeal entity, such as a ghost, fairy, or sprite.

“Local legends say the spirit of a young woman haunts the old castle.”

“The folklore of the region is populated by forest spirits that are said to protect the ancient trees from woodcutters.”

03mood or attitude

B1 · Intermediate Uncountable noun

n. the way you feel at a particular time, or your general attitude toward life.

n. a person's mental or emotional state; the prevailing mood or attitude of a group.

“The team was in high spirits after winning the championship game.”

“Despite the economic downturn, the community maintained a spirit of resilience and mutual support.”

04enthusiasm or energy

B2 · Upper Intermediate Uncountable noun

n. energy, courage, and determination.

n. the quality of being resilient, energetic, or courageous.

“The young athlete showed great spirit even when she was losing the race.”

“The protesters demonstrated an indomitable spirit, refusing to leave the square despite the freezing temperatures.”

Antonyms

05true intent

C1 · Advanced Uncountable noun Law Formal

n. the real meaning or purpose of something, rather than just the exact words used.

n. the intended meaning or purpose of a law or agreement, contrasted with its literal interpretation.

“The judge ruled that the company had violated the spirit of the law.”

“Legal scholars often distinguish between the letter of the law and the spirit of the law when interpreting constitutional amendments.”

Antonyms

06strong alcohol

B2 · Upper Intermediate Countable noun British English

n. strong alcoholic drinks like vodka, gin, or whiskey.

n. strong distilled alcoholic liquor; usually plural in general contexts.

“The bar serves a wide variety of beers, wines, and spirits.”

“The duty-free shop offers a significant discount on premium spirits, including aged scotch and imported cognac.”

Synonyms

liquorhard stuff

07to take away secretly

C2 · Proficiency Literary

v. to take someone or something away quickly and secretly.

v. to carry off or remove someone or something mysteriously or secretly.

“The witness was spirited away to a safe house before the trial began.”

“Under the cover of darkness, the valuable paintings were spirited out of the gallery just hours before the occupation began.”

Collocations

Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “spirit” in context.

Verb

01. break the spirit

“The difficult training was designed to test the soldiers, but it did not break their spirit.”

verb + noun

02. lift the spirit

“The bright sunshine and warm weather really lifted her spirits after a long winter.”

verb + noun

Adjective

03. community spirit

“There is a wonderful community spirit in this village, especially during the holidays.”

adj + noun

04. competitive spirit

“She has a very strong competitive spirit and always tries her best to win every game.”

adj + noun

05. team spirit

“The coach praised the players for their excellent team spirit during the tournament.”

adj + noun

Preposition

06. in high spirits

“Everyone was in high spirits at the party because the exams were finally over.”

prep + adj + noun

07. in the spirit of

“We decided to share our lunch in the spirit of friendship.”

prep + noun + prep

Usage

Uncountable when referring to the soul or general mood; countable when referring to a ghost or a specific type of person.

Word family

NOUN

Related words

Idioms

Domain

Philosophy

This entry

Exam level
CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B1 PreliminaryIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.4.0–5.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 3.0–3.544–71TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.550–784
Frequency
Common
Level
B1 · IntermediateOxford
Updated

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