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
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
The track resonates with Belinda’s crystalline vocals, dynamic guitar riffs, and spirited trumpet interplays, while Tito’s distinctively gruff delivery adds grit to their musical escapade.
—
Ingrid Fajardo, Billboard, 17 Jan. 2025
Shakers Bar & Grill serves delicious fish and barbecued meats to a spirited mix of locals and tourists on the patio of a traditional wooden house.
—Patrick Scott, New York Times, 16 Jan. 2025
Carlos Soler, the loanee from Paris Saint-Germain, also played an important role in West Ham’s newfound spirited determination.
—Roshane Thomas, The Athletic, 15 Jan. 2025
In recent years mocktails have evolved beyond simply combining juice, soda, and grenadine thanks to bartenders and producers embracing botanicals, teas, and craft syrups to create complex beverages that put these drinks on par with their spirited counterparts.
—Joseph Hernandez, Bon Appétit, 9 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for spirited 
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Ingrid Fajardo, Billboard, 17 Jan. 2025
Shakers Bar & Grill serves delicious fish and barbecued meats to a spirited mix of locals and tourists on the patio of a traditional wooden house.
—Patrick Scott, New York Times, 16 Jan. 2025
Carlos Soler, the loanee from Paris Saint-Germain, also played an important role in West Ham’s newfound spirited determination.
—Roshane Thomas, The Athletic, 15 Jan. 2025
In recent years mocktails have evolved beyond simply combining juice, soda, and grenadine thanks to bartenders and producers embracing botanicals, teas, and craft syrups to create complex beverages that put these drinks on par with their spirited counterparts.
—Joseph Hernandez, Bon Appétit, 9 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for spirited
Dictionary Entries Near spirited
Cite this Entry
“Spirited.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/spirited. Accessed 29 Jan. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
spirited
adjective
spir·it·ed
ˈspir-ət-əd
: full of courage or energy
a spirited discussion
spiritedly
adverb
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