spirited

adjective

spir·​it·​ed ˈspir-ə-təd 

: full of energy, animation, or courage

a spirited discussion

spiritedly adverb

spiritedness noun

Did you know?

You may see spirited used to describe a conversation, a debate, a horse, or a campaign. And it often shows up in such words as high-spirited ("bold and energetic"), mean-spirited ("spiteful"), and public-spirited ("generous to a community"), all of which reflect the original meaning of spirit, a notion much like "soul" or "personality".

Synonyms

• fiery
• gingery
• high-spirited
• mettlesome
• peppery
• spunky

Examples of spirited in a Sentence

The team put up a spirited defense.

She's a very spirited young lady.

Recent Examples on the Web

Since that inaugural race, there’s been a variety of boat competitors, questionable judging and theatrics, and a lot of spirited comradery among the crews and spectators. —Steve Wiser, The Courier-Journal, 20 Apr. 2024

Here, amidst a sea of RVs, the festival spirit ignites with unparalleled fervor: from impromptu gatherings around lawn chairs to spirited games of beer pong. —Ed Masley, The Arizona Republic, 12 Apr. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1601, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing spirited

• high-spirited
• low-spirited
• mean-spirited
• poor-spirited
• public-spirited

Kids Definition

spirited

adjective

spir·​it·​ed ˈspir-ət-əd 

: full of courage or energy

a spirited discussion

spiritedly adverb