spiritual
spiritual Lexical Profile
spiritual Game Scores & Validity
• adjective
Relating to or affecting the human spirit or soul as opposed to material or physical things.
"Meditation and quiet reflection helped her find a deep sense of spiritual peace."
Relating to religion, sacred matters, or ecclesiastical institutions.
"The archbishop serves as the spiritual leader of the diocese."
• noun
A religious folk song of a kind originally created and sung by African Americans in the southern United States, typically expressing deep faith, resilience, and longing for freedom.
"The choir concluded the concert with a moving arrangement of a traditional spiritual."
Word Nuance & Usage
In contemporary usage, 'spiritual' is frequently contrasted with 'religious'; 'religious' denotes adherence to an organized institution and formal dogma, whereas 'spiritual' emphasizes personal, inward connection to transcendent meaning.
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
Borrowed in Middle English from Old French 'spirituel' and Late Latin 'spiritualis', derived from Latin 'spiritus' (breath, spirit, soul), from 'spirare' (to breathe).