Origin: Latin suffix -al
Spiritual has 8 different meanings across 2 categories:
a kind of religious song originated by Blacks in the southern United States
"Her grandmother loved to sing old spirituals while working in the fields during harvest season."
A Christian religious song, especially one in an African-American style, or a similar non-religious song.
"The strict rules governing their daily lives were followed by every spiritual in that remote monastery."
A member of a branch of the Franciscan order that advocated simple dress and renounced the owning of property.
In plain English: A spiritual is a type of song that people sing to express deep feelings about their faith or connection to God.
"Many people find comfort in their spiritual during difficult times."
lacking material body or form or substance
"spiritual beings"
"the vital transcendental soul belonging to the spiritual realm"
resembling or characteristic of a phantom
"a ghostly face at the window"
"a phantasmal presence in the room"
"spectral emanations"
"spiritual tappings at a seance"
Of or pertaining to the spirit or the soul.
"Her spiritual journey began when she felt a profound connection to the universe during her meditation."
In plain English: Spiritual means relating to the soul or inner feelings rather than just physical things.
"She found comfort in her spiritual beliefs during difficult times."
Usage: Use spiritual when referring to matters concerning the human soul, divine connection, or inner beliefs rather than physical reality. Distinguish it from religious by noting that something can be spiritually uplifting without being tied to a specific organized faith.
The word "spiritual" comes from the Latin spirituālis, which was derived from spīritus meaning breath or life force. It entered English through Old French and Middle English to describe things related to the human spirit rather than just the physical body.