Spirit Extra Examples Mind ˈspɪrɪt Good Human Body

• you are underestimating the power of the human spirit to overcome difficulties.
• yoga is meant to unite the body, mind and spirit.
• to be in high/low spirits
• they were all in good spirits as they set out.

spirit

1. the part of a person that includes their mind, feelings and character rather than their body
• You are underestimating the power of the human spirit to overcome difficulties.
• Yoga is meant to unite the body, mind and spirit.

Extra Examples

• It is a testimony to the triumph of the human spirit.
• She exudes a warmth and generosity of spirit.
• healing for body, mind and spirit
2. a person’s feelings or state of mind
• to be in high/low spirits
• They were all in good spirits as they set out.
• You must try and keep your spirits up (= stay cheerful).
• a song that never fails to lift my spirits
• My spirits sank at the prospect of starting all over again.

Extra Examples

• We sang songs to keep our spirits up.
• She isn't in the best of spirits today.
• My mother was in excellent spirits.
3. a person of the type mentioned
• SEE ALSO free spirit
  https://www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com/definition/english/free-spirit
• a brave spirit
• kindred spirits (= people who like the same things as you)

Extra Examples

• She was a guiding spirit in primary education.
• He found kindred spirits in the peace movement.
4. courage, energy or purpose
• Peter had a good game and showed his true spirit.
• They took away his freedom and broke his spirit.
• Although the team lost, they played with tremendous spirit.

Extra Examples

• He sang with great spirit.
• She has plenty of fighting spirit.
• They tortured him until he was broken in spirit.
5. feelings of support towards a group, team or society
• SEE ALSO public spirit
  https://www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com/definition/english/public-spirit
• There's not much community spirit around here.
• Officials have praised the cooperative spirit of the joint task force.
6. the typical or most important quality or mood of something
• The exhibition captures the spirit of the age/times.

Extra Examples

• It seemed to fit in with the spirit of the festival.
• His poetry summed up the spirit of the age.
• The exhibition captures the spirit of the Swinging Sixties.
• That song really captures the spirit of the times.
• They brought the spirit of carnival to their concerts.
• She embodies the spirit of revolution.
• the indomitable American spirit
7. a state of mind or mood; an attitude
• SEE ALSO party spirit
  https://www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com/definition/english/party-spirit
• We approached the situation in the wrong spirit.
• ‘OK, I'll try’. ‘That's the spirit (= the right attitude).’
• The party went well because everyone entered into the spirit of things.
• I'm trying to get into the spirit of the holiday season.

Extra Examples

• He's got the right spirit!
• I was just getting to the spirit of things when the party suddenly ended.
• They have the right spirit!
• Both sides have come together in a spirit of goodwill.
• They are all working together in a spirit of cooperation.
• He felt a kind of lightness in his spirit as the sun came up.
• a spirit of adventure
8. the real or intended meaning or purpose of something
• Obey the spirit, not the letter (= the narrow meaning of the words) of the law.

Extra Examples

• The movie is true to the spirit of the book.
• The referee should try to obey the spirit as well as the letter of the law.
• an edict that violates the spirit of the Geneva Convention
9. the soul thought of as separate from the body and believed to live on after death; a ghost
• SEE ALSO Holy Spirit
  https://www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com/definition/english/the-holy-spirit
• He is dead, but his spirit lives on.
• It was believed that people could be possessed by evil spirits.
• a message from the spirit world

Extra Examples

• Owls were believed to be restless spirits who had returned to earth.
• She slept with a cross under the pillow to ward off evil spirits.
• Many people believe the spirit lives on after death.
• My spirit guide cares for me and protects me.
10. an imaginary creature with magic powers, for example, a fairy or an elf
11. a strong alcoholic drink
• I don't drink whisky or brandy or any other spirits.

Extra Examples

• A standard measure of spirits is 25ml.
• a single measure of spirits
12. a special type of alcohol used in industry or medicine
• SEE ALSO methylated spirit
  https://www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com/definition/english/methylated-spirit
13. as/when/if you feel like it
• I'll go for a run this evening, if the spirit moves me.
• Make a donation to the charity if the spirit moves you.
14. a feeling that you are ready to fight very hard for something or to try something difficult
15. in your thoughts
• I shall be with you in spirit (= thinking about you though not with you physically).
16. to make somebody feel more cheerful or brave
• SYNONYM cheer up
  https://www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com/definition/english/cheer-up
• The sunny weather raised my spirits a little.
17. you intend to do good things but you are too lazy, weak or busy to actually do them

Word Origin

• Middle English: from Anglo-Norman French, from Latin spiritus ‘breath, spirit’, from spirare ‘breathe’.