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".
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
Golden beer, warm waffles, and spirited festivals mark the rhythm of Belgian life—sweet, savory, and steeped in tradition.
—
Lewis Nunn, Forbes.com, 14 Aug. 2025
With its long, silky coat and striking appearance, the breed is also known for its spirited nature, which can make early training an energetic undertaking.
—Melissa Fleur Afshar, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 Aug. 2025
From $465 per night. Perks: Affordable, unique design, vintage build
For those who love a spirited stay, this cabin was built in 1940’s and is decorated with all the bohemian inclinations of California desert people.
—Jessica Cherner, Architectural Digest, 13 Aug. 2025
The engine is a spirited 398cc mill that puts out 42 hp at 9,000 RPM, and 27.5 lb.ft (37.5 Nm) of torque, mated to a ride-by-wire system and 6-speed gearbox with a slip-and-assist clutch.
—Abhimanyu Ghoshal, New Atlas, 9 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for spirited
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Lewis Nunn, Forbes.com, 14 Aug. 2025
With its long, silky coat and striking appearance, the breed is also known for its spirited nature, which can make early training an energetic undertaking.
—Melissa Fleur Afshar, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 Aug. 2025
From $465 per night. Perks: Affordable, unique design, vintage build
For those who love a spirited stay, this cabin was built in 1940’s and is decorated with all the bohemian inclinations of California desert people.
—Jessica Cherner, Architectural Digest, 13 Aug. 2025
The engine is a spirited 398cc mill that puts out 42 hp at 9,000 RPM, and 27.5 lb.ft (37.5 Nm) of torque, mated to a ride-by-wire system and 6-speed gearbox with a slip-and-assist clutch.
—Abhimanyu Ghoshal, New Atlas, 9 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for spirited
Cite this Entry
“Spirited.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/spirited. Accessed 20 Aug. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
spirited
adjective
spir·it·ed
ˈspir-ət-əd
: full of courage or energy
a spirited discussion
spiritedly
adverb
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share