spiritual

1 of 2

adjective

spir·​i·​tu·​al ˈspir-i-chə-wəl 

-i-chəl,

-ich-wəl

1

: of, relating to, consisting of, or affecting the spirit : incorporeal

spiritual needs

2

a

: of or relating to sacred matters

spiritual songs

b

: ecclesiastical rather than lay or temporal

spiritual authority

lords spiritual

3

: concerned with religious values

4

: related or joined in spirit

our spiritual home

his spiritual heir

5

a

: of or relating to supernatural beings or phenomena

b

: of, relating to, or involving spiritualism : spiritualistic

spiritually adverb

spiritualness noun

spiritual

2 of 2

noun

1

spirituals plural : things of a spiritual, ecclesiastical, or religious nature

2

: a religious song usually of a deeply emotional character that was developed especially among Black people in the southern U.S.

3

capitalized : any of a party of 13th and 14th century Franciscans advocating strict observance of a rule of poverty for their order

Synonyms

Adjective

• metaphysical
• psychical
• psychic
• supernatural
• incorporeal
• nonphysical

Noun

• hymn
• anthem
• psalm

Examples of spiritual in a Sentence

Adjective

Doctors must consider the emotional and spiritual needs of their patients.

I regularly consult our pastor about spiritual matters.

The Romantic composers saw Beethoven as a spiritual ancestor.

France will always be the spiritual home of wine lovers.

Noun

The congregation sang hymns and spirituals.

sang a spiritual at the funeral

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

The artist better known to his international collectors as Móyò, has been evolving the character – a personal archetype, a spiritual sentinel, and a bridge between worlds – for over eight years, exploring his Yoruba ancestry and urban mythology. —Natasha Gural, Forbes.com, 13 Sep. 2025

Even the wraparound mural in the hotel’s lobby nods to Ojai’s past, depicting figures such as Edward Libbey, the developer of the town’s downtown area, ceramicist Beatrice Wood and spiritual figure Jiddu Krishnamurti. —Degen Pener, HollywoodReporter, 13 Sep. 2025

Noun

The music, much of it consisting of Shaker spirituals rearranged by Daniel Blumberg (who won an Oscar for last year’s The Brutalist, directed by Fastvold’s husband and co-writer Brady Corbet), is lyrical, emotional, sometimes even angry. —Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 4 Sep. 2025

In the immediate aftermath of the shooting, Leo had refrained from any political commentary about guns in America, sending a telegram of condolence that focused exclusively on the spiritual. —Nicole Winfield, Chicago Tribune, 31 Aug. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Middle English, from Anglo-French & Late Latin; Anglo-French espirital, spiritual, from Late Latin spiritualis, from Latin, of breathing, of wind, from spiritus

First Known Use

Adjective

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1582, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing spiritual

• spiritual bouquet

Kids Definition

spiritual

1 of 2 adjective

spir·​i·​tu·​al ˈspir-ich-(ə-)wəl 

-ich-əl

1

: of, relating to, or consisting of spirit : not bodily or material

2

: of or relating to sacred or religious matters

3

: related or joined in spirit

our spiritual home

spirituality

ˌspir-ich-ə-ˈwal-ət-ē

noun

spiritually

ˈspir-ich-(ə-)wəl-ē

-ich-əl-ē

adverb

spiritualness noun

spiritual

2 of 2 noun

: a religious song usually of a very emotional character that was developed especially among Black people in the southern U.S.