Word
spiritual
Phoneticsspir·i·tu·al, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈspɪɹɪˌtʃuəɫ/
UK/spˈɪɹɪtʃˌuːəl/
Definitions
01soul and spirit
B2 · Upper Intermediate
adj. relating to your spirit, soul, or deep personal beliefs rather than your body or physical objects.
adj. 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.”
Synonyms
02religious
B2 · Upper Intermediate Religion
adj. relating to religion or sacred things.
adj. 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.”
03religious song
C1 · Advanced Countable noun Music American English
n. a type of religious folk song, especially those originally created by African Americans.
n. a religious folk song of a kind associated with the black Christian communities of the southern US.
Español:espiritual
“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.
Synonyms
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “spiritual” in context.
Verb
01. provide spiritual support
“The hospital chaplain provides spiritual support to patients and their families.”
verb + adj + noun
02. seek spiritual enlightenment
“He spent years in a monastery to seek spiritual enlightenment away from modern distractions.”
verb + adj + noun
Adjective
03. deeply spiritual
“The monk shared a deeply spiritual message that resonated with the entire congregation.”
adv + adj
04. spiritual and physical
“Yoga aims to improve both your spiritual and physical well-being through meditation and exercise.”
adj + and + adj
Noun
05. spiritual growth
“Reading these ancient texts contributed significantly to her spiritual growth over the years.”
adj + noun
06. spiritual guidance
“Many people seek spiritual guidance from a priest or mentor during difficult times in their lives.”
adj + noun
07. spiritual journey
“After the loss of his job, he went on a spiritual journey to India to find his true purpose.”
adj + noun
08. spiritual leader
“The Dalai Lama is recognized globally as a prominent spiritual leader.”
adj + noun
Real-World Examples
“The Bochasanwasi Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha (BAPS) spiritual movement, whose members made the request in advance of a visit on Saturday, apologised.” “It is the spiritual home of Ferrari and the devoted tifosi who adore the Italian team.” Etymology
From Middle English spiritual, spirituel, from Old French spirituel, from Late Latin spīrituālis, from Latin spīritus. By surface analysis, spirit + -ual.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
ADJECTIVE
ADVERB
- 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.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL 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: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Common
- Level
- B2 · Upper IntermediateOxford
- Updated
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/spiritual
Traducciones: Kaikki.org (Wiktionary), CC BY-SA 4.0