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 of spirited

• fiery
• passionate
• spunky
• brisk
• fervent
• high-spirited

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

There may have been worse Casa Amor behavior in the history of Love Island, but this outing is feeling especially mean-spirited. — Kathleen Walsh, Vulture, 26 June 2026

Morocco had to overcome a spirited performance from Haiti to win a compelling game 4-2 and secure their passage into the knockouts. — Felipe Cardenas, New York Times, 26 June 2026

Sunday, July 5 — Heritage & LegacyHeritage & Legacy Day offers a spirited showcase of the traditions, culture, and stories that shaped the American journey. — Mike Stunson, USA Today, 25 June 2026

Now, thanks to a spirited and fast-growing scene, music fans should also put the Faroe Islands on their list. — Matt Ortile, Condé Nast Traveler, 25 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1601, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing spirited

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

Rhymes for spirited

• dispirited

Kids Definition

spirited

adjective

spir·​it·​ed ˈspir-ət-əd 

: full of courage or energy

a spirited discussion

spiritedly adverb