Soul — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

noun adjective /ˈsōl/

Meaning & Definition of Soul

Soul (noun)

  1. the immaterial essence, animating principle, or actuating cause of an individual life
  2. the spiritual principle embodied in human beings, all rational and spiritual beings, or the universe
  3. god

Soul (adjective)

  1. of, relating to, or characteristic of Black Americans or their culture

Soul (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. an immaterial force within a human being thought to give the body life, energy, and power

    "many religions teach that the soul is immortal"

    similar: psyche, spirit
    related: life, vitality, being, essence, quintessence
    near: body, flesh

  2. a member of the human race

    "I promise I won't tell another soul"

    similar: baby, being, bird, bod (British), body, character, cookie, creature, customer, devil, duck, egg, face, fish, guy, head, human, human being, individual, life, man, mortal, party, person, personage, scout, slob, sort, specimen, stiff, thing, wight, son of man
    related: hominid, homo, humanoid, brother, fellow, fellowman, neighbor, celebrity, personality, self, somebody
    near: animal, beast, beastie, brute, critter

  3. the quality or qualities that make a thing what it is

    "a kind act that was the very soul of charity"

    similar: being, essence, essentiality, nature, quiddity, quintessence, stuff, substance, name of the game
    related: heart, spirit, alpha and omega, center, core, keynote, marrow, pith, seat, embodiment, epitome, incarnation, manifestation, personification, aspect, attribute, feature, property, gist, kernel, nub

  4. the seat of one's deepest thoughts and emotions

    "knew in her soul that it was true"

    similar: belly, blood, bone(s), bosom, breast, core, gut, heart, heartstrings, inner space, inside, quick
    related: conscience, mind

Related Entry: Soul-searching (noun)

Soul-searching is a different word from Soul. The synonyms below are for soul-searching, not for soul.

  1. examination of one's own thoughts and feelings

    "after much soul-searching, they both realized that their marriage was essentially over"

    similar: introspection, self-contemplation, self-examination, self-observation, self-questioning, self-reflection, self-scrutiny, self-searching
    related: self-analysis, self-awareness, self-consciousness, self-recognition, introversion, self-absorption, self-centeredness, self-concern, self-involvement, self-actualization, self-discovery, self-exploration, self-fulfillment, self-realization, self-knowledge, self-revelation, self-concept, self-image, self-perception, contemplation, meditation, reflection, rumination

Related Entry: Soul mates (noun)

Soul mates is a different word from Soul. The synonyms below are for soul mates, not for soul.

  1. as in husbands, wives

    similar: better halves, companions, consorts, husbands, mates, partners, significant others, spouses, wives, hausfraus, homemakers, househusbands, housekeepers, housewives, stay-at-homes

Related Entry: Soul-searchings (noun)

Soul-searchings is a different word from Soul. The synonyms below are for soul-searchings, not for soul.

  1. examination of one's own thoughts and feelings

    "after much soul-searching, they both realized that their marriage was essentially over"

    similar: introspections, self-contemplations, self-examinations, self-observations, self-questionings, self-reflections, self-scrutinies, self-searchings
    related: self-analyses, self-recognitions, introversions, self-absorptions, self-concerns, self-involvements, self-actualizations, self-discoveries, self-explorations, self-fulfillments, self-realizations, self-knowledges, self-revelations, self-concepts, self-images, self-perceptions, contemplations, meditations, reflections, ruminations

Related Entry: World soul (noun)

World soul is a different word from Soul. The synonyms below are for world soul, not for soul.

  1. as in life, élan vital

    similar: élan vital, life, lifeblood, Shakti, inner light, light, nature, orgone, soul, spirit, karma, mana, aura, chi, energy, ki, vibe(s), vibration(s)

Related Entry: Soulmate (noun)

Soulmate is a different word from Soul. The synonyms below are for soulmate, not for soul.

  1. as in husband, wife

    similar: better half, companion, consort, husband, mate, partner, significant other, spouse, wife, hausfrau, homemaker, househusband, housekeeper, housewife, stay-at-home

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Soul

The most common words with a similar meaning to Soul:

British: bod
psyche, spirit, baby, being, bird, body, character, cookie, creature, customer, devil, duck, egg, face, fish, guy, head, human, human being, individual, life, man, mortal, party, person, personage, scout, slob, sort, specimen, stiff, thing, wight, essence, essentiality, nature, quiddity, quintessence, stuff, substance

Related Words for Soul

vitality, hominid, homo, humanoid, brother, fellow, fellowman, neighbor, celebrity, personality, self, somebody, alpha and omega, center, keynote, marrow, pith, seat, embodiment, epitome, incarnation, manifestation, personification, aspect, attribute, feature, property, gist, kernel, nub

Near Antonyms of Soul

body, flesh, animal, beast, beastie, brute, critter

Origin & Etymology of Soul

Middle English soule, from Old English sāwol; akin to Old High German sēula soul

First known use: before 12th century

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Soul

Words & Phrases Containing Soul

soul brother, soul food, soul kiss, soul music, soul patch, soul-searching, soul sister, soul-destroying

Frequently Asked Questions about Soul

What does "Soul" mean?

"Soul" means the immaterial essence, animating principle, or actuating cause of an individual life. As an a noun and an adjective, it is defined as: the immaterial essence, animating principle, or actuating cause of an individual life. It has 4 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Soul"?

Other words for "Soul" include psyche, spirit, baby, being, bird, bod, body and character. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Soul" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Soul"?

There are 87 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Soul". Common alternatives include psyche, spirit, baby, being, bird, bod, body, character, cookie and creature.

How do you use "Soul" in a sentence?

Examples of "Soul" in a sentence: "many religions teach that the soul is immortal"; "I promise I won't tell another soul"; "a kind act that was the very soul of charity".

Is "Soul" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Soul" can be used as a noun and an adjective, depending on the context.

Is "Soul" useful for IELTS, TOEFL, and other English exams?

As a B2-level word, "Soul" is typical of Cambridge B2 First (FCE), IELTS band 5.5–6.5, TOEFL iBT 72–94, PTE Academic 59–75, TOEIC Listening & Reading 785+.

How do you pronounce "Soul"?

"Soul" is pronounced /ˈsōl/.

What is the origin of the word "Soul"?

"Soul" comes from Middle English soule, from Old English sāwol; akin to Old High German sēula soul. First known use: before 12th century.