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

Middle of Nowhere is a spirited, if depressed, reaffirmation of Musgraves’s foundations. —Craig Jenkins, Vulture, 7 May 2026

Hawkers hitched boxes higher and nudged each other to behold the spirited pregnant woman. —‘pemi Aguda, Literary Hub, 6 May 2026

But Snelling’s recent dominance has made that topic a spirited discussion inside the team’s front office. —Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 4 May 2026

Spirit Airlines was known for some spirited interactions involving passengers over the years, but some longtime customers are painting a different portrait of the ultra-low cost carrier following its shuttering over the weekend. —Eve Chen, USA Today, 3 May 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