# spirituality

/ˌspɪɹɪˌtʃuˈæɫəˌti/ (US) · /spˌɪɹɪtʃuːˈælɪti/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/spirituality
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. personal inner life

noun · CEFR B2

the part of a person that is about their spirit, mind, or soul rather than their body or money.

For teachers: the quality or state of being spiritual; a focus on the human spirit or soul as opposed to material or physical things.

- Many people find that yoga helps them connect with their spirituality.
- The author explores how modern spirituality often exists independently of traditional religious institutions, focusing instead on personal mindfulness and ethical living.

### 2. religious devotion

noun · CEFR B2

the quality of being very interested in religion and religious values.

For teachers: the quality of being devoted to religious or sacred matters.

- The monk was respected by everyone for his deep spirituality and kindness.
- The cathedral's architecture was designed to evoke a sense of profound spirituality in the worshippers, drawing their eyes upward toward the light.

### 3. church property or clergy

noun · CEFR C2 · Archaic · Formal

things that belong to the church or the group of people who lead a church.

For teachers: ecclesiastical property or the collective body of the clergy, as distinguished from secular or temporal matters.

- In the past, the spirituality of the kingdom held great power over the land.
- The legal dispute centered on whether the tithes were part of the spirituality of the parish or belonged to the local lord's temporal estate.

Usage: In modern English, this sense is almost exclusively found in historical or legal texts regarding church history.

## Examples

- Many people find spirituality through quiet meditation or spending time in nature.
- After leaving his stressful corporate job, he focused on his spirituality by practicing yoga and reading philosophy every morning.
- Modern spirituality often blends ancient contemplative practices with contemporary psychology, offering individuals a framework for existential meaning without the dogmatic constraints of traditional religious institutions.

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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.