animal spirits
plural nounDefinition of animal spirits
1
sometimes animal spirit, obsolete
: the nervous energy that is the source of physical sensation and movement
2
: vivacity arising from physical health and energy
3
in Keynesian economic theory
: emotional feelings and desires (such as an optimistic willingness to take positive action) that influence the economic behavior of consumers and investors
If you ask how much consumers will consume and investors invest over the next few months, the answer is determined largely by feelings—what John Maynard Keynes called "animal spirits." If frightened people decide not to spend, their nervousness can translate into a depressed economy.— Paul Krugman
Test Your Vocabulary
Which Word Does Not Belong?
-
- Which of these words does not mean "nonsense"?

Test your visual vocabulary with our 10-question challenge!
TAKE THE QUIZ
A daily challenge for crossword fanatics.
TAKE THE QUIZLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share animal spirits
Time Traveler for animal spirits
The first known use of animal spirits was in the 15th century
See more words from the same century