Spiritual — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

adjective noun /ˈspir-i-chə-wəl/ spir·i·tu·al

Meaning & Definition of Spiritual

Spiritual (adjective)

  1. of, relating to, consisting of, or affecting the spirit, incorporeal
  2. of or relating to sacred matters
  3. ecclesiastical rather than lay or temporal

Spiritual (noun)

  1. things of a spiritual, ecclesiastical, or religious nature
  2. a religious song usually of a deeply emotional character that was developed especially among Black people in the southern U.S.
  3. any of a party of 13th and 14th century Franciscans advocating strict observance of a rule of poverty for their order

Spiritual (adjective) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. not composed of matter

    "a staunch skeptic and realist, he scoffs at the very notion of ghosts and other spiritual entities"

    similar: bodiless, ethereal, formless, immaterial, incorporeal, insubstantial, nonmaterial, nonphysical, unbodied, unsubstantial
    related: metaphysical, psychic, supernatural, impalpable, insensible, intangible, invisible, airy, diaphanous, gaseous, gossamery, tenuous, thin, vaporous, wispish
    opposite: bodily, corporeal, material, physical, substantial
    near: animal, carnal, fleshly, detectable, discernible, noticeable, observable, palpable, sensible, tangible, visible, bulky, heavy, massive, solid

  2. of, relating to, or used in the practice or worship services of a religion

    "spiritual songs that have been sung by generations of worshippers"

    similar: devotional, religious, sacred
    related: blessed, consecrated, hallowed, holy, sacrosanct, sanctified, solemn, liturgical, ritual, sacramental, semireligious, semisacred
    opposite: nonreligious, profane, secular
    near: earthly, mundane, terrene, terrestrial, worldly

Spiritual (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. a religious song

    "sang a spiritual at the funeral"

    similar: anthem, canticle, carol, chorale, hymn, psalm
    related: dirge, lament, requiem, threnody, Gloria Patri, hallelujah, paean, mass, oratorio, processional, recessional

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Spiritual

The most common words with a similar meaning to Spiritual:

bodiless, ethereal, formless, immaterial, incorporeal, insubstantial, nonmaterial, nonphysical, unbodied, unsubstantial, devotional, religious, sacred, anthem, canticle, carol, chorale, hymn, psalm

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Spiritual

Words with the opposite meaning of Spiritual:

bodily, corporeal, material, physical, substantial, nonreligious, profane, secular

Related Words for Spiritual

metaphysical, psychic, supernatural, impalpable, insensible, intangible, invisible, airy, diaphanous, gaseous, gossamery, tenuous, thin, vaporous, wispish, blessed, consecrated, hallowed, holy, sacrosanct, sanctified, solemn, liturgical, ritual, sacramental, semireligious, semisacred, dirge, lament, requiem

Near Antonyms of Spiritual

animal, carnal, fleshly, detectable, discernible, noticeable, observable, palpable, sensible, tangible, visible, bulky, heavy, massive, solid, earthly, mundane, terrene, terrestrial, worldly

Word Forms of Spiritual

Derived words: spiritually (adverb), spiritualness (noun)

Origin & Etymology of Spiritual

Middle English, from Anglo-French & Late Latin; Anglo-French espirital, spiritual, from Late Latin spiritualis, from Latin, of breathing, of wind, from spiritus

First known use: 14th century

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Spiritual

Words & Phrases Containing Spiritual

spiritual bouquet

Frequently Asked Questions about Spiritual

What does "Spiritual" mean?

"Spiritual" means of, relating to, consisting of, or affecting the spirit, incorporeal. As an an adjective and a noun, it is defined as: of, relating to, consisting of, or affecting the spirit, incorporeal. It has 3 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Spiritual"?

Other words for "Spiritual" include bodiless, ethereal, formless, immaterial, incorporeal, insubstantial, nonmaterial and nonphysical. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Spiritual" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Spiritual"?

There are 57 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Spiritual". Common alternatives include bodiless, ethereal, formless, immaterial, incorporeal, insubstantial, nonmaterial, nonphysical, unbodied and unsubstantial.

What is the opposite of "Spiritual"?

Antonyms of "Spiritual" include bodily, corporeal, material, physical, substantial, nonreligious, profane and secular. Near antonyms include animal, carnal, fleshly and detectable.

How do you use "Spiritual" in a sentence?

Examples of "Spiritual" in a sentence: "a staunch skeptic and realist, he scoffs at the very notion of ghosts and other spiritual entities"; "spiritual songs that have been sung by generations of worshippers"; "sang a spiritual at the funeral".

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

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

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

As a B2-level word, "Spiritual" 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 "Spiritual"?

"Spiritual" is pronounced /ˈspir-i-chə-wəl/ and divided into syllables as spir·i·tu·al.