spirit

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "spirit" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe the non-corporeal essence of a person or an emotional state, a divine essence, or a willingness to try. For example, "The team had a strong spirit and worked together to achieve their goal."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

Opinion

Film

Music

Lifestyle

World

Culture

Travel

Politics

Arts

Business

Education

Society

Small Business

Commentisfree

UK news

The northerner

Life and style

The running blog

Art and design

Small business network

Comment

World news

Film blog

That 1980s sports blog

World

Media

Education

Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"It must be the spirit of the place".

The Guardian - Film

"During this depression, when the spirit of the people is lower than at any other time, it is a splendid thing that, for just 15 cents, an American can go to a movie and look at the smiling face of a baby and forget his troubles," Franklin D Roosevelt stated in 1935, referring to the world's biggest and littlest star.

The Guardian - Film

The Fifa president, Sepp Blatter, has admitted that this week's wave of arrests and corruption allegations have "unleashed a storm" but improbably called for "unity and team spirit" as he appealed for a fifth term of office.

The Guardian - Sport

The first aim was, in the new spirit of socialism sweeping the land under Mitterrand, to demystify the impenetrable secrets of official France.

The Guardian

thepalmsnegril.com, double rooms from $80 a night plus taxes The rocky stretch of Negril known as the West End became a mecca for hippies in the 1960s, and Banana Shout evokes the best of the old bohemian spirit, perched on the edge of the cliffs right next door to Rick's Cafe, the famous sunset diving spot.

The Guardian - Travel

The 46-year-old Lee is obsessed with obscure musicians, outsider artists and forgotten writers and he brings some of their off-kilter spirit to standup comedy.

The Guardian

It's this spirit of continuity and collaboration that distinguishes the New York performance world from the boom-and-bust arc experienced by most scenes.

The Guardian - Music

So I went along (to a Shoreditch coffee shop) in the spirit of a person who isn't meeting the person they wanted to meet, and was awed by Caballero.

The Guardian

As he writes, these free-flying insects are the closest thing the natural world offers to our concept of the untethered human spirit.

The Guardian - Film

It means accepting that the spirit of inquiry should always be allowed to flourish and go wherever it is led, even if these are paths that continue to displace the centrality of the human or upset the usual ways of conceiving of the world.

The Guardian - Opinion

The letter of the law is one thing, the spirit of the law is another.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "spirit" to describe a collective attitude, ensure it aligns with the specific group or context. For example, "team spirit" implies collaboration and unity.

Common error

Avoid using "spirit" in contexts where a more concrete term would be clearer. For instance, instead of saying "the spirit of the law", consider "the intent of the law" for improved clarity.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "spirit" is as a noun, referring to a non-physical part of a person, an emotional state, or an animating principle. Ludwig provides numerous examples demonstrating its use in diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

36%

Sport

12%

Opinion

6%

Less common in

Film

6%

Lifestyle

3%

Culture

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "spirit" is a versatile noun with a rich range of meanings, spanning from enthusiasm and mood to the essence of something. Ludwig AI validates its correct usage in written English, highlighting its widespread application across diverse fields like news, sports, and culture. When aiming for clarity, writers should consider more concrete alternatives in overly abstract contexts. With careful attention to context, using "spirit" can add considerable depth and nuance to writing. The frequency analysis shows that the word "spirit" appears "very common" in the provided contexts, especially in News & Media.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

soul

Refers to the non-physical part of a person, often associated with emotions or character.

essence

Emphasizes the fundamental nature or quality of something.

feeling

Represents a general state of consciousness or emotion.

mood

Focuses on the emotional state or atmosphere.

enthusiasm

Highlights the energy and eagerness associated with a feeling or activity.

disposition

Highlights a person's inherent qualities of mind and character.

morale

Indicates the confidence and enthusiasm of a person or group at a particular time.

vitality

Stresses the energy and liveliness present in a person or thing.

tenor

Captures the general character or atmosphere of something.

temperament

Refers to a person's nature, especially as it permanently affects their behavior.

FAQs

How can I use "spirit" in a sentence?

"Spirit" can refer to enthusiasm, a supernatural being, or the essential character of something. For example, "Her indomitable spirit inspired everyone" or "The team showed great team spirit".

What are some synonyms for "spirit"?

Depending on the context, you can use "mood", "essence", "soul", or "enthusiasm" as alternatives.

Is it correct to say "in the spirit of"?

Yes, "in the spirit of" is a correct and commonly used phrase. It means acting in accordance with the general intention or purpose of something, as in "in the spirit of forgiveness".

What's the difference between "spirit" and "soul"?

"Spirit" often refers to a quality like enthusiasm or intent, while "soul" typically refers to the non-physical part of a person associated with emotions, character, or spirituality. The distinction depends on the specific context.