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Definition of spirituous

spirituous

/ˈspɪr.ɪ.tʃu.əs/
spir · it · u · ous
Adverb:spirituously
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spirituous Lexical Profile

spirituous Game Scores & Validity

• adjective

1

Containing, of the nature of, or produced by distilled alcohol, typically with a high alcohol content.

Example

"The municipal ordinance strictly regulates the sale of spirituous liquors within the historic district."

2

Volatile, refined, or lively in character (archaic).

Example

"Early natural philosophers believed that the arteries carried a subtle, spirituous vapor throughout the human body."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for spirituous
Antonyms
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Word Nuance & Usage

Do not confuse 'spirituous' (containing distilled alcohol) with 'spiritual' (relating to the soul or religion) or 'spirited' (full of energy and courage).

• Nearby Words

spirituality
spiritualize
spiritually
spirituous
spirograph
spit
spitball

Word Origin & Etymology

Borrowed in the 16th century from Middle French spiritueux or Medieval Latin spirituosus, from Latin spiritus ('breath, spirit'), in its alchemical sense of a volatile distilled liquid.

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Spirituous. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/spirituous
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