# spiritual

/ˈspɪɹɪˌtʃuəɫ/ (US) · /spˈɪɹɪtʃˌuːəl/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/spiritual
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. soul and spirit

adjective · CEFR B2

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

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

- Yoga helps her find a sense of spiritual peace after a long day at work.
- The author explores the spiritual journey of the protagonist as he seeks meaning beyond the consumerist culture of his upbringing.

### 2. religious

adjective · CEFR B2

relating to religion or sacred things.

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

- The community looked to their spiritual leader for guidance during the crisis.
- The bishop exercised spiritual authority over the diocese, while the council managed the administrative and financial affairs.

### 3. religious song

noun · CEFR C1 · American English

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

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

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

## Examples

- The choir sang a beautiful spiritual during the service.
- Many famous spirituals use coded language to talk about freedom and the journey to the North.
- Music historians often trace the roots of blues and jazz back to the rhythmic and melodic structures found in the traditional African American spiritual.

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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.