spirit

A being believed to exist without a physical body, such as a ghost.

• They believe a spirit lives here.
• The story describes spirits that guard the forest.
• She thought she had seen an evil spirit.

Similar words: ghost, supernatural being

Common phrases: evil spirit, forest spirit, see a spirit

Energy, excitement, and strong support for an activity or group.

• The team showed great spirit.
• Her speech was full of spirit.
• Everyone cheered to show their school spirit.

Similar words: enthusiasm, energy, passion

Opposites: apathy

Common phrases: team spirit, school spirit, full of spirit

The basic idea or purpose behind a rule or statement.

• This follows the spirit of the rule.
• They respected the spirit of our agreement.
• Her decision went against the spirit of the law.

How to use it: the spirit of something (Sharing the prize follows the spirit of the competition.)

Similar words: intent, purpose

Common phrases: spirit of something, in the spirit

The unseen part of a person, believed by some to live on after death.

• Some people believe the spirit never dies.
• She prayed for her father’s spirit.
• They wanted to contact the spirits of their ancestors.

Similar words: soul

Opposites: body

Common phrases: body and spirit, someone’s spirit, human spirit

The part of a living being believed to exist beyond its physical body.

• They believe the spirit survives death.
• She prayed for his spirit to find peace.
• The story describes spirits leaving their bodies.

Similar words: soul

Common phrases: human spirit, departed spirit, spirit lives on

A liquid that easily turns into gas, especially alcohol; strong alcoholic drinks are also called spirits.

• The cleaner contains a strong spirit.
• She used white spirit to clean the brush.
• The bar sells beer, wine, and spirits.

Common phrases: methylated spirit, white spirit, spirit bottle

To take someone or something away quickly and secretly.

• They spirited the child away.
• Someone had spirited the documents out of the office.
• The singer was spirited away before reporters arrived.

How to use it: spirit someone/something away (The guards spirited the witness away.); spirit someone out of somewhere (Friends spirited her out of the building.)

Similar words: whisk away, smuggle away

Common phrases: spirit someone away, spirit something away, spirit someone out

To give someone more energy, courage, or excitement.

• Her praise spirited him up.
• The music spirited the weary troops.
• Their success spirited up the whole company.

How to use it: spirit someone up (The promise of victory spirited the soldiers up.)

Similar words: encourage, inspire, hearten

Opposites: discourage

Common phrases: spirit someone up, spirit the troops