was in high spirits

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was in high spirits" is a perfectly correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to describe someone who is cheerful and optimistic. For example: "The moment she stepped into the room, everyone could tell that she was in high spirits."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

He was in high spirits about his rejoinder to Wallace.

The New Yorker

She said her father was in high spirits tonight.

The New York Times

"He was in high spirits, laughing and joking, and I can't believe it," said Savage.

The Guardian - Sport

He had just collected his wages for cutting grass that day and was in high spirits.

The New York Times

Ralph was in high spirits, flipping over the chicken breasts, pushing down tenderly on the steaks.

The New Yorker

On the day the Yarrow family arrived, Mr. Edow was in high spirits.

The New York Times

On the evening of April 6 , 1994 Thomas Kamilindi was in high spirits.

The New Yorker

Zahir said Woollard was in "high spirits", "excited" and had got "carried away".

The Guardian

Sharif was in high spirits when he went into the operating theatre at about 8am, according to Maryam Sharif.

The Guardian

He said he had talked twice to his uncle and that on Tuesday he was in high spirits.

The New York Times

But the day was bright, and Jakubowski, wearing a Blair Grocery T-shirt over his khakis, was in high spirits.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the context and choose a synonym if you want to convey a more specific type of happiness, such as triumph ("jubilant") or excitement ("elated").

Common error

While "was in high spirits" is appropriate in many situations, avoid using it repeatedly in the same piece of writing. Vary your language by using synonyms like "cheerful", "optimistic", or "elated" to keep the writing engaging.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was in high spirits" functions as a predicate adjective, describing the subject's emotional state or mood. It indicates that the person or entity in question experienced a state of cheerfulness and optimism. Ludwig confirms this.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

98%

Wiki

1%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "was in high spirits" is a common and grammatically sound way to describe someone who is cheerful and optimistic. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is widely used in various contexts, especially in news and media. When using the phrase, be mindful of over-repetition and consider synonyms like "was elated" or "was cheerful" for variety. It is important to remember that the correct form is "spirits" (plural), not "spirit" (singular). Choosing the right alternative, such as determining if "was in good spirits" or "was in high spirits" has a different connotation is important to convey the right emotion.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was in a good mood

A more general expression of positive feelings.

was cheerful

Focuses on a consistently positive and pleasant disposition.

was full of joy

Emphasizes the emotion of happiness itself.

was elated

Conveys a stronger sense of joy and excitement.

was in good cheer

Emphasizes a festive or holiday-like atmosphere.

was feeling optimistic

Highlights a hopeful outlook on the future.

was delighted

A more refined and sophisticated expression of pleasure.

was jubilant

Suggests triumph or a celebratory mood.

was thrilled

Indicates a high degree of excitement and pleasure.

was walking on air

Implies extreme happiness, almost to the point of disbelief.

FAQs

How can I use "was in high spirits" in a sentence?

You can use "was in high spirits" to describe someone's mood or demeanor. For example: "Despite the challenges, she "was in high spirits" during the meeting."

What can I say instead of "was in high spirits"?

You can use alternatives like "was cheerful", "was elated", or "was in a good mood" depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "was in high spirit" (singular)?

No, the correct expression is "was in high spirits" (plural). Using "spirit" in the singular form is grammatically incorrect in this context.

What's the difference between "was in high spirits" and "was in good spirits"?

While both phrases express a positive mood, "was in high spirits" often implies a more energetic and exuberant state than "was in good spirits", which can simply suggest a pleasant and agreeable disposition.