WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026
spir•it /ˈspɪrɪt/USA pronunciation
n.
v. [~ + object (+ off/away)]
WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026- Religion the principle believed to give life, esp. to humans;
vital essence:[countable* usually singular]He gave up the spirit (= He died). - Religion [countable; usually singular] the part of humans that is not the body or the mind;
the soul:They believe that the spirit cannot die. - a supernatural being without a body:[countable]evil spirits.
- an attitude, feeling, or principle that stirs one to action, etc.:[countable]The spirit of reform began to grow among the people.
- the source of feelings prompting one to action:[uncountable]a man of broken spirit.
- spirits, [plural] mood with regard to great happiness or great sadness:The children's high spirits made us all laugh.
- a lively, courageous, or hopeful attitude:[countable* usually singular]Get up and try again; yes, that's the spirit!
- temper, attitude, or disposition:[uncountable]meek in spirit.
- an individual thought of as having a particular attitude, character, etc.:[countable]a few brave spirits.
- the meaning or intent of a law, as opposed to the actual words:[countable* usually singular]The judges ruled that he had violated the spirit of the law, if not the letter of the law.
- WineOften, spirits. [plural] a strong distilled alcoholic liquor.
- British Terms[uncountable]alcohol.
v. [~ + object (+ off/away)]
- to carry off mysteriously or secretly:They disguised the king and spirited him out a back door; spirited away by kidnappers.
spir•it
(spir′it),USA pronunciation n.
adj.
v.t.
spir′it•like′, adj.
- Religionthe principle of conscious life;
the vital principle in humans, animating the body or mediating between body and soul. - Religionthe incorporeal part of humans:present in spirit though absent in body.
- Religionthe soul regarded as separating from the body at death.
- conscious, incorporeal being, as opposed to matter:the world of spirit.
- Mythologya supernatural, incorporeal being, esp. one inhabiting a place, object, etc., or having a particular character:evil spirits.
- Mythologya fairy, sprite, or elf.
- Mythologyan angel or demon.
- an attitude or principle that inspires, animates, or pervades thought, feeling, or action:the spirit of reform.
- Religion(cap.) the divine influence as an agency working in the human heart.
- Religiona divine, inspiring, or animating being or influence. Num. 11:25;
Is. 32:15. - Religion(cap.) the third person of the Trinity;
Holy Spirit. - the soul or heart as the seat of feelings or sentiments, or as prompting to action:a man of broken spirit.
- spirits, feelings or mood with regard to exaltation or depression:low spirits; good spirits.
- excellent disposition or attitude in terms of vigor, courage, firmness of intent, etc.;
mettle:That's the spirit! - temper or disposition:meek in spirit.
- an individual as characterized by a given attitude, disposition, character, action, etc.:A few brave spirits remained to face the danger.
- the dominant tendency or character of anything:the spirit of the age.
- vigorous sense of membership in a group:college spirit.
- the general meaning or intent of a statement, document, etc. (opposed to letter):the spirit of the law.
- Chemistrythe essence or active principle of a substance as extracted in liquid form, esp. by distillation.
- WineOften, spirits. a strong distilled alcoholic liquor.
- British Terms[Chiefly Brit.]alcohol.
- Drugs[Pharm.]a solution in alcohol of an essential or volatile principle;
essence. - any of certain subtle fluids formerly supposed to permeate the body.
- out of spirits, in low spirits;
depressed:We were feeling out of spirits after so many days of rain. - Religion the Spirit, God.
adj.
- pertaining to something that works by burning alcoholic spirits:a spirit stove.
- of or pertaining to spiritualist bodies or activities.
v.t.
- to animate with fresh ardor or courage;
inspirit. - to encourage;
urge on or stir up, as to action. - to carry off mysteriously or secretly (often fol. by away or off):His captors spirited him away.
- Latin spīritus origin, originally, a breathing, equivalent. to spīri-, combining form representing spīrāre to breathe + -tus suffix of verb, verbal action
- Middle English (noun, nominal) 1200–50
- 2.See corresponding entry in Unabridged life, mind, consciousness, essence.
- 5.See corresponding entry in Unabridged apparition, phantom, shade. See ghost.
- 6.See corresponding entry in Unabridged goblin, hobgoblin.
- 7.See corresponding entry in Unabridged genius.
- 14.See corresponding entry in Unabridged enthusiasm, energy, zeal, ardor, fire, enterprise.
- 15.See corresponding entry in Unabridged attitude, mood, humor.
- 17.See corresponding entry in Unabridged nature, drift, tenor, gist, essence, sense, complexion.
- 19.See corresponding entry in Unabridged intention, significance, purport.
'in good spirits' also found in these entries (note: many are not synonyms or translations):