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

Despite Green giving a spirited defensive effort against Leonard, the Clippers defeated the Warriors 114-102 on March 2. —Joseph Dycus, Mercury News, 13 Apr. 2026

From soulful melodies to spirited compositions, her voice carried a timeless brilliance. —Glenn Garner, Deadline, 12 Apr. 2026

Since the early 1900s, Laguna Beach has served as an artists’ colony, and spirited creatives have been drawn to and inspired by its coastal landscapes and warm local culture. —Acacia Gabriel, Travel + Leisure, 12 Apr. 2026

The Badgers are amid a drastic, spirited turnaround under Hastings. —Steven Louis Goldstein, New York Times, 11 Apr. 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