spirited
adjective
spir·it·ed
ˈspir-ə-təd 
: full of energy, animation, or courage
a spirited discussion
spiritedly
adverb
spiritedness
noun
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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
Plus, Nancy Travis, who played Allen’s wife on Last Man Standing, will return as spirited widow Charlotte after a Season 1 appearance.
—
Dave Nemetz, TVLine, 5 Sep. 2025
Perhaps, like Elizabeth in the face of Darcy’s insult, Austen would also be prompted to spread spirited gossip about her heroine’s doubters and haters.
—Literary Hub, 4 Sep. 2025
The beloved cookbook author, who goes by the cheeky nickname @grossypelosi, has brought every bit of that high-spirited vibe to his new cookbook, Let's Party.
—Miranda Crowell, Better Homes & Gardens, 3 Sep. 2025
The board's vote came after sometimes spirited presentations from both supporters and those who opposed the sculpture's placement — though not necessarily the piece itself — at the intersection.
—Domenica Bongiovanni, IndyStar, 3 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for spirited
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Dave Nemetz, TVLine, 5 Sep. 2025
Perhaps, like Elizabeth in the face of Darcy’s insult, Austen would also be prompted to spread spirited gossip about her heroine’s doubters and haters.
—Literary Hub, 4 Sep. 2025
The beloved cookbook author, who goes by the cheeky nickname @grossypelosi, has brought every bit of that high-spirited vibe to his new cookbook, Let's Party.
—Miranda Crowell, Better Homes & Gardens, 3 Sep. 2025
The board's vote came after sometimes spirited presentations from both supporters and those who opposed the sculpture's placement — though not necessarily the piece itself — at the intersection.
—Domenica Bongiovanni, IndyStar, 3 Sep. 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 10 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
spirited
adjective
spir·it·ed
ˈspir-ət-əd
: full of courage or energy
a spirited discussion
spiritedly
adverb
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