the vital principle or animating force within living things
"The ancient ritual was designed to honor the spirit of the departed and invite their animating force back into the community feast."
a fundamental emotional and activating principle determining one's character
"Her fierce spirit drove her to stand up for justice even when others were too afraid to speak."
any incorporeal supernatural being that can become visible (or audible) to human beings
"The old lighthouse keeper claimed he had seen a spirit walking among the rocks during his nightly patrols."
the state of a person's emotions (especially with regard to pleasure or dejection)
"his emotional state depended on her opinion"
"he was in good spirits"
"his spirit rose"
animation and energy in action or expression
"it was a heavy play and the actors tried in vain to give life to it"
The soul of a person or other creature. What moves through experience into self-definition as souls purpose.
"After years of traveling, she felt her spirit had found its true path, guiding every choice toward the life it was meant to lead."
In plain English: Spirit is the non-physical part of a person that gives them life and personality, or it can refer to a feeling of high energy and enthusiasm.
"The team was full of spirit after their victory."
Usage: Use "spirit" to refer to the nonphysical part of a person that gives them individuality and moral character. It often describes an inner quality rather than the physical body, such as in phrases like "in good spirits."
To carry off, especially in haste, secrecy, or mystery.
"The thief spirited away the rare painting before anyone could stop him."
In plain English: To spirit something away means to take it quickly and secretly before anyone else notices.
"The teacher tried to spirit the shy student out of the spotlight before he got too nervous."
Usage: Do not use "spirit" to mean having high energy or enthusiasm; instead, apply it only when describing the act of secretly removing someone or something quickly and mysteriously. You might say that a thief spirited away the jewels, but you would never describe a happy crowd as spirited in this sense.
Synonym of Holy Spirit.
"The congregation gathered to sing hymns honoring the presence of the Holy Spirit during the service."
The word "spirit" entered Middle English from the Old French espirit, which originally meant "breath." It ultimately derives from a Proto-Indo-European root meaning "to blow or breathe," replacing an earlier native English term for ghost.