ENGLISH
REFERENCE

spiritual

adj. · n.
US //ˈspɪɹɪˌtʃuəɫ// UK //spˈɪɹɪtʃˌuːəl// spir·i·tu·al
  1. 1 soul and spirit (adj.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    relating to your spirit, soul, or deep personal beliefs rather than your body or physical objects.

    relating to the human spirit or soul as opposed to material or physical things.

    Example

    Yoga helps her find a sense of spiritual peace after a long day at work.

    Example

    The author explores the spiritual journey of the protagonist as he seeks meaning beyond the consumerist culture of his upbringing.
  2. 2 religious (adj.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate Religion

    relating to religion or sacred things.

    relating to religious or sacred matters; often used to distinguish ecclesiastical authority from temporal or civil power.

    Example

    The community looked to their spiritual leader for guidance during the crisis.

    Example

    The bishop exercised spiritual authority over the diocese, while the council managed the administrative and financial affairs.
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  1. 3 religious song (n.)
    C1 Advanced American English Music

    a type of religious folk song, especially those originally created by African Americans.

    a religious folk song of a kind associated with the black Christian communities of the southern US.

    Example

    The choir sang a beautiful spiritual that moved the entire audience.

    Example

    The concert featured a series of traditional African-American spirituals, highlighting their historical role in expressing both faith and the desire for freedom.

    Usage

    Often used in the plural form 'spirituals' when referring to the musical genre.
Origin

From Middle English spiritual, spirituel, from Old French spirituel, from Late Latin spīrituālis, from Latin spīritus. By surface analysis, spirit + -ual.

Word family

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