spirited

IPA/ˈspɪrɪtɪd/
KK[spˈɪrɪtɪd]IPA/ˈspɪrɪtɪd/

spirited — adjective

  • spiritedpositive
  • more spiritedcomparative
  • most spiritedsuperlative

1. full of lively energy and strong purpose, making a person, performance, or discu

1.adjectiveC1
Definition

full of lively energy and strong purpose, making a person, performance, or discussion feel active, forceful, and hard to ignore.

Example

Lara gave a spirited speech that got the tired volunteers back on their feet.

common collocation: spirited speech

Even after two losses, Otis still ran with spirited effort to reach the finish line.

collocation: spirited effort

Common collocations
  • spirited speech
  • spirited effort
  • spirited debate
  • spirited reply
  • spirited performance
Synonyms
  • lively

    the everyday choice; 'spirited' sounds stronger and carries more inner drive

  • energetic

    focuses on strength and activity; 'spirited' also suggests personality and spark

  • feisty

    adds a sharper, more combative edge than the broader sense of 'spirited'

  • determined

    centres on fixed purpose; 'spirited' keeps more movement and animation

Antonyms

Usage Note

Often used for debates, speeches, performances, replies, or children. It points to lively force and drive rather than danger; if the person is facing risk or threat, sense 2 is usually the better fit.

Common Mistakes

The soldiers made a spirited defence of the gate.
The soldiers made a brave defence of the gate.
in a dangerous situation, the courage sense is the better fit.
The lecture was spirited because the facts were correct.
The lecture was lively because the speaker kept everyone engaged.
this sense is about energy and force, not simple accuracy.

2. ready to face danger, pressure, or strong opposition without backing away; brave

2.adjectiveC1
Definition

ready to face danger, pressure, or strong opposition without backing away; brave in action or attitude.

Example

Bilal made a spirited defence of his sister when older boys mocked her accent.

common collocation: spirited defence

Though they had more men, Kofi led a spirited fight to protect the bridge.

collocation: spirited fight

Common collocations
  • spirited defence
  • spirited stand
  • spirited response
  • spirited resistance
  • spirited refusal
Synonyms
  • brave

    the broad everyday word for facing danger

  • courageous

    more formal and often stronger in moral tone than 'spirited'

  • defiant

    stresses open resistance to authority or pressure

  • bold

    can suggest daring action; 'spirited' keeps the sense of inner fire

Antonyms
  • timid

    not ready to act bravely

  • fearful

    held back by fear

  • cowed

    frightened into silence or submission

Usage Note

Most natural before nouns like 'defence', 'stand', 'fight', and 'response'. Distinguish from sense 1: this sense highlights courage under danger or pressure, not simply lively energy.

Common Mistakes

The children were spirited all afternoon, running around the garden.
The children were lively all afternoon, running around the garden.
with no danger or pressure, use the energy sense instead.
She gave a spirited answer because she knew the math problem.
She gave a confident answer because she knew the math problem.
this sense is about bravery under pressure, not ordinary certainty.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: adjective/1

'Spirited' suggests lively energy with some inner fire behind it. 'Lively' is broader and more everyday, covering anything cheerful, quick, or full of movement. 'Energetic' focuses on strength and activity, often in work or exercise, and says less about personality. 'Feisty' adds a sharper, more combative edge, especially when someone answers back or refuses to be pushed around. 'Determined' centres on fixed purpose and can be calm rather than lively. A child can be lively without being spirited, and a marathon runner can be determined without sounding spirited. But a spirited reply or spirited debate usually combines movement, confidence, and push. Use 'spirited' when energy and force of character are both visible.

spirited ↗lively ↗energetic ↗feisty ↗determined ↗

Common collocations

Adverbs

Etymology

LatinOld FrenchEnglish

Built from the noun 'spirit' plus the adjective ending '-ed'. 'Spirit' came into English through Old French from Latin 'spiritus', a word first linked to breath and later to life, mood, and courage. By the late 1500s, 'spirited' was being used for people, actions, and performances that seemed full of life, force, or bravery.

First known use

1601

1601, in the meaning defined above