spirit
gb/spˈɪɹɪt/ us/spˈɪɹɪt/
A2
English
~ 1300
lélek, kedv, hangulat, tömény ital, párlat, rövidital, szellem, szellemiség
NOUN
B1
1
lélek
A2
Usage pattern:
the spirit of [someone]
She believed that his spirit would live on after his death.
Hitt abban, hogy a lelke a halála után is tovább él.
The team showed great spirit during the final match.
A csapat nagy küzdőszellemről tett tanúbizonyságot a döntő mérkőzésen.
His spirit was broken after the long struggle.
Learner examples
She has a kind spirit.
Jó lelke van.
His spirit is strong.
Lelkileg erős.
We must keep our spirit high.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'spirit' with 'ghost' when referring to someone's personality or inner strength.
Meaning
non-physical essence of a person
Collocations
human spirit
|free spirit
|in good spirits
|lift someone's spirits
Synonyms
soul (Often used in religious or poetic contexts; slightly more spiritual in tone.)
Antonyms
body (Refers to the physical part of a person, the opposite of the non-material part.)
Themes
philosophy
|religion
|emotions
Definition
The part of a person that is not their body, like their mind or soul.
The non-material part of a human, often considered the seat of emotions, character, and consciousness.
NOUN
A2
2
Usage pattern:
in [good/bad/high] spirits
She was in high spirits after hearing the news.
A hír hallatán nagyon jókedvű lett.
His spirits sank when he saw the score.
Leesett a kedve, amikor meglátta az állást.
The music lifted their spirits.
Learner examples
I am in good spirits today.
Ma jókedvű vagyok.
Her spirits are low.
Rossz a kedve.
The good news lifted my spirits.
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse 'spirits' in this sense with alcoholic drinks.
Meaning
mood or emotional state
Collocations
in high spirits
|in low spirits
|lift spirits
Synonyms
mood (More general term for emotional state; less poetic or figurative.)
Antonyms
depression (A prolonged state of low mood, opposite of being in high spirits.)
Themes
emotions
|daily life
|core_vocabulary
Definition
How someone feels or thinks at a certain time.
A person's mood, attitude, or emotional state at a particular time.
NOUN
A2
3
Usage pattern:
[drink/serve] spirits
He doesn't drink beer, only spirits.
Nem iszik sört, csak töményt.
The bar serves a wide range of spirits.
A bár sokféle tömény italt kínál.
Spirits are taxed at a higher rate than wine.
Learner examples
I don't drink spirits.
Nem iszom töményt.
Vodka is a type of spirit.
A vodka a tömény italok egyik fajtája.
They sell beer and spirits.
Common mistake:
Some learners confuse 'spirit' with 'sprite', which is a brand of soft drink.
Meaning
strong alcoholic drink
Collocations
drink spirits
|distilled spirits
|clear spirits
Synonyms
liquor (Common in American English; refers to distilled alcoholic beverages.)
Antonyms
soft drink (A drink without alcohol.)
Themes
food_and_drink
|food_drink
|daily_life
Definition
A drink with a lot of alcohol, like whiskey or vodka.
A strong alcoholic drink such as whiskey, vodka, or gin.
NOUN
B2
4
szellem
B1
szellemiség
C1
Usage pattern:
the spirit of [something]
We should act in the spirit of cooperation.
Az együttműködés szellemében kell cselekednünk.
The spirit of the 1960s was one of freedom and change.
A hatvanas évek szellemét a szabadság és a változás jellemezte.
They played in the true spirit of the game.
Learner examples
We have team spirit.
Jó a csapatszellemünk.
This is against the spirit of the law.
Ez ellentétes a törvény szellemével.
The spirit of the game is fair play.
Meaning
typical attitude or principle
Collocations
team spirit
|the spirit of the law
|the Olympic spirit
Synonyms
ethos (Formal term for the guiding beliefs or character of a community.)
Antonyms
letter (of the law) (Focus on exact wording rather than intended meaning.)
Themes
culture
|society
|core_vocabulary
Definition
The usual way people think and feel in a group or time.
The prevailing attitude, principle, or way of thinking that characterizes a group, period, or activity.
NOUN
B1
5
szellem
B1
They say an evil spirit haunts the old house.
Azt mondják, gonosz szellem kísért az öreg házban.
Shamans communicate with spirits in their rituals.
A sámánok a szertartásaik során szellemekkel kommunikálnak.
A guiding spirit appeared to her in a dream.
Learner examples
They believe in good and bad spirits.
Hisznek a jó és a rossz szellemekben.
The old house has a spirit.
A régi házban van egy szellem.
The shaman called the spirits.
Meaning
supernatural being like ghost or fairy
Collocations
evil spirit
|good spirit
|wandering spirit
Synonyms
ghost (Refers specifically to the soul of a dead person appearing to the living.)
Antonyms
human being (A living physical person, opposite to an incorporeal entity.)
Themes
mythology
|religion
|arts_entertainment
Definition
A ghost or other magical being that people believe exists without a body.
A supernatural entity, often invisible, such as a ghost, fairy, or other ethereal being.
Grammar
Dictionary form
spirit
IPA
GB/spˈɪɹɪt/
US/spˈɪɹɪt/
Syllables & stress
spir - it (2 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (spir)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: spirit
- Plural: spirit, spirits
Word family
Forms
spirits
noun
Core family
spiritual
adjective B1
Related words
Negative and opposite forms
spiritless
adjective
dispirited
adjective
Advanced or less common
spiritualist
noun
spiritualism
noun
Expressions
free spirit
1/fɹˈi spˈɪɹɪt/
fixed phrase
independent person who avoids strict rules
Someone who likes to live their life their own way without following many rules.
Examples
- She’s always been a free spirit, traveling wherever she likes.
- He’s too much of a free spirit to work in an office.
in high spirits
1/ˈɪn hˈaɪ spˈɪɹɪts/
fixed phrase
feeling very happy and cheerful
Feeling very happy and excited at that moment.
Examples
- She was in high spirits after passing her exam.
- They were all in high spirits at the party.
the letter and the spirit (of the law)
1/ðə lˈɛtɚ ˈænd ðə spˈɪɹɪt əv ðə lˈɔ/
fixed phrase
formal
exact wording and intended meaning of law/rule
Following both what the law says exactly and what it really means.
Examples
- Judges must consider both the letter and the spirit of the law.
- He broke the spirit of the agreement even if not its letter.
lift someone's spirits
1/lˈɪft sˈʌmwˌʌnz spˈɪɹɪts/
fixed phrase
Make someone happier emotionally
To make someone feel better or happier emotionally.
Examples
- The good news really lifted my spirits.
- His joke lifted everyone's spirits during the meeting.
lift someone's spirits
2/lˈɪft sˈʌmwˌʌnz spˈɪɹɪts/
fixed phrase
make someone feel happier again
To make someone feel happier or less sad.
Examples
- The good news lifted his spirits.
- A nice walk can lift your spirits.
team spirit
1/tˈim spˈɪɹɪt/
fixed phrase
Enthusiasm and loyalty in a group
A feeling of support and excitement shared by people in the same group.
Examples
- Good team spirit helped us win the game.
- Good team spirit helped them win the championship.
- The company encourages team spirit among employees.
- Team spirit is important in any workplace.