1
: the immaterial essence, animating principle, or actuating cause of an individual life
2
a
: the spiritual principle embodied in human beings, all rational and spiritual beings, or the universe
b
3
: a person's total self
4
a
: an active or essential part
b
: a moving spirit : leader
5
a
: the moral and emotional nature of human beings
b
: the quality that arouses emotion and sentiment
c
: spiritual or moral force : fervor
6
: person
not a soul in sight
7
: personification
she is the soul of integrity
8
a
: a strong positive feeling (as of intense sensitivity and emotional fervor) conveyed especially by African American performers
b
: cultural consciousness and pride among people of African heritage
c
d
e
Examples of soul in a Sentence
the souls of the dead
He could not escape the guilt that he felt in the inner recesses of his soul.
Some poor soul was asking for handouts on the street.
a village of barely a hundred souls
Recent Examples on the Web
Tootsie Tomanetz Pitmasters tend the flames of Texas barbecue with heart, soul, and a whole lot of dedication—and the smoky, juicy meat, like that of Tootsie Tomanetz at Snow’s BBQ, draws diners across state lines.
—
Arati Menon, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 June 2026
Eager to earn back Giles’ trust, Jenny purchases a mystical orb and translates an ancient text to perform the ritual to restore Angel’s soul.
—ArsTechnica, 7 June 2026
Her fans, many sporting sheer red gloves, cat ears and varying levels of undress, were eager to be sated and reacted as if their souls were being saved within seconds of the start of each of the 23 songs Grande performed.
—Melissa Ruggieri, USA Today, 7 June 2026
Legendary falsetto soul singers like Clyde McPhatter, Eddie Kendricks, and Philip Bailey sang in their upper registers for this reason.
—Ahmir “questlove” Thompson, VIBE.com, 7 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for soul
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Arati Menon, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 June 2026
Eager to earn back Giles’ trust, Jenny purchases a mystical orb and translates an ancient text to perform the ritual to restore Angel’s soul.
—ArsTechnica, 7 June 2026
Her fans, many sporting sheer red gloves, cat ears and varying levels of undress, were eager to be sated and reacted as if their souls were being saved within seconds of the start of each of the 23 songs Grande performed.
—Melissa Ruggieri, USA Today, 7 June 2026
Legendary falsetto soul singers like Clyde McPhatter, Eddie Kendricks, and Philip Bailey sang in their upper registers for this reason.
—Ahmir “questlove” Thompson, VIBE.com, 7 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for soul
Cite this Entry
“Soul.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/soul. Accessed 10 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
soul
1 of 2 noun1
: the spiritual part of a person believed to give life to the body and in many religions thought to live forever
2
a
: the necessary part of something
b
: a person who leads or stirs others to action : leader
the soul of the campaign
3
a
: the part of one's personality having to do with feelings and the sense of what is right and wrong
felt my soul rebel against injustice
b
: spiritual force : fervor
4
: person
a kind soul
5
a
: a strong positive feeling conveyed especially by Black American performers
b
souled
adjective
ˈsōld
soul
2 of 2 adjective1
: of or relating to Black Americans or their culture
soul food
2
: designed for or controlled by Black people
soul radio stations
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