spirit
gb/spˈɪɹɪt/ us/spˈɪɹɪt/
A2
English
~ 1300
Senses
0 senses
Noun
B1
entity
1
non-physical essence of a person
The part of a person that is not their body, like their mind or soul.
Usage pattern:
the spirit of [someone]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'spirit' with 'ghost' when referring to someone's personality or inner strength.
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.)
Collocations
human spirit
|free spirit
|in good spirits
|lift someone's spirits
Themes
philosophy
|religion
|emotions
Examples
- She believed that his spirit would live on after his death.
- The team showed great spirit during the final match.
- His spirit was broken after the long struggle.
Learner examples
- She has a kind spirit.
- His spirit is strong.
- We must keep our spirit high.
Noun
A2
state
2
mood or emotional state
How someone feels or thinks at a certain time.
Usage pattern:
in [good/bad/high] spirits
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse 'spirits' in this sense with alcoholic drinks.
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.)
Collocations
in high spirits
|in low spirits
|lift spirits
Themes
emotions
|daily life
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- She was in high spirits after hearing the news.
- His spirits sank when he saw the score.
- The music lifted their spirits.
Learner examples
- I am in good spirits today.
- Her spirits are low.
- The good news lifted my spirits.
Noun
A2
entity
3
strong alcoholic drink
A drink with a lot of alcohol, like whiskey or vodka.
Usage pattern:
[drink/serve] spirits
Common mistake:
Some learners confuse 'spirit' with 'sprite', which is a brand of soft drink.
Synonyms
liquor (Common in American English; refers to distilled alcoholic beverages.)
Antonyms
soft drink (A drink without alcohol.)
Collocations
drink spirits
|distilled spirits
|clear spirits
Themes
food_and_drink
|food_drink
|daily_life
Examples
- He doesn't drink beer, only spirits.
- The bar serves a wide range of spirits.
- Spirits are taxed at a higher rate than wine.
Learner examples
- I don't drink spirits.
- Vodka is a type of spirit.
- They sell beer and spirits.
Noun
B2
entity
4
typical attitude or principle
The usual way people think and feel in a group or time.
Usage pattern:
the spirit of [something]
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.)
Collocations
team spirit
|the spirit of the law
|the Olympic spirit
Themes
culture
|society
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- We should act in the spirit of cooperation.
- The spirit of the 1960s was one of freedom and change.
- They played in the true spirit of the game.
Learner examples
- We have team spirit.
- This is against the spirit of the law.
- The spirit of the game is fair play.
Noun
B1
entity
5
supernatural being like ghost or fairy
A ghost or other magical being that people believe exists without a body.
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.)
Collocations
evil spirit
|good spirit
|wandering spirit
Themes
mythology
|religion
|arts_entertainment
Examples
- They say an evil spirit haunts the old house.
- Shamans communicate with spirits in their rituals.
- A guiding spirit appeared to her in a dream.
Learner examples
- They believe in good and bad spirits.
- The old house has a spirit.
- The shaman called the spirits.
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.