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 spirited performances in Games 2 and 3, the Hawks fell apart in the rest of the series. —Lauren Williams, AJC.com, 1 May 2026

Sample Moonshine Cedar Mountain Moonshine is a spirited spot, pairing quirky moonshine art with tasting flights. —Belinda Luksic, Southern Living, 1 May 2026

The Decatur, Georgia native is their senior captain, a vibrant personality and spirited leader on and off the field. —Pj Green april 30, Kansas City Star, 30 Apr. 2026

Now, as the hotel marks its 160th anniversary, the dining room has returned to something closer to its original purpose—serving a spirited, scene-y lunch and dinner once again. —Regan Stephens, Travel + Leisure, 30 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