Spiritual: meaning, definitions and examples

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spiritual

 

[ หˆspษชrษชtสƒสŠษ™l ]

Adjective / Noun
Oxford 3000
Context #1 | Adjective

related to religion

Relating to or affecting the human spirit or soul as opposed to material or physical things.

Synonyms

divine, religious, sacred.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
spiritual

Used when discussing matters related to the soul, inner peace, or personal growth, often outside formal religious structures.

  • She found a spiritual connection with nature during her hike.
  • Meditation helps me stay grounded and enhances my spiritual well-being.
religious

Used when referring to beliefs, practices, or phenomena directly related to established religious institutions or traditions.

  • He attends religious services every Sunday.
  • The city has a rich religious history dotted with ancient temples and churches.
sacred

Used to denote something considered holy or worthy of reverence, often tied to religious rituals or places.

  • The cathedral is a sacred place for many worshippers.
  • They treat the ancient manuscripts as sacred texts.
divine

Used to describe something related to or coming from a deity or god; often carries a connotation of being perfect or heavenly.

  • The sunset over the mountains was simply divine.
  • They believed that the prophet had a divine message from the heavens.

Examples of usage

  • She sought out spiritual guidance from the priest.
  • The painting had a spiritual quality that moved the viewers.
Context #2 | Adjective

related to personal beliefs

Relating to a person's religious or personal beliefs.

Synonyms

ethical, moral, philosophical.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
spiritual

Use this word when referring to matters related to the soul, religion, or anything deeply personal and transcendent. It often relates to faith, higher purpose, or inner peace.

  • She found comfort in her spiritual practices
  • The monks lived a simple, spiritual life
philosophical

This word is best used when referring to deep and rational thinking about fundamental questions concerning existence, knowledge, values, reason, and mind. It often involves theoretical and abstract reasoning.

  • She often engaged in philosophical discussions about the meaning of life
  • His philosophical outlook helped him stay calm during tough times
ethical

This word is suitable when discussing principles of right and wrong behavior, especially in a professional or societal context. It often deals with rules or guidelines that determine what is considered acceptable behavior.

  • The doctor faced an ethical dilemma regarding patient confidentiality
  • Implementing fair policies is essential for maintaining an ethical workplace
moral

Use this word when talking about personal beliefs regarding right and wrong. It often involves judgments about good and evil, virtue, and vice, typically influenced by culture, family, and personal experiences.

  • He struggled with his moral conscience after witnessing the crime
  • The story has a strong moral message about honesty

Examples of usage

  • Her spiritual beliefs helped her through difficult times.
  • He described himself as a spiritual person who believed in the power of positivity.
Context #3 | Noun

a religious person

A person who is religious or follows a religious practice.

Synonyms

believer, devotee, religious person.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
spiritual

Used when referring to someone who focuses on inner peace, well-being, and personal growth rather than adhering to formal religious practices or doctrines.

  • She is a very spiritual person who practices meditation daily
  • He seeks spiritual guidance to find balance in his life
religious person

Generic term to describe someone who follows the rules and practices of an organized religion. It focuses on adherence to rituals, beliefs, and doctrines specific to that religion.

  • My neighbor is a religious person who goes to church every Sunday
  • She was raised as a religious person and continues to follow the traditions of her faith
devotee

Used when referring to someone who is extremely dedicated to a particular religion, deity, or spiritual practice. Often implies a high level of commitment and enthusiasm.

  • He is a devoted devotee of Lord Krishna and attends temple services regularly
  • She is a devotee of yoga and practices it every morning without fail
believer

Used to describe someone who has faith in a particular religion, philosophy, or ideology. It is a broad term that can apply to various belief systems.

  • As a strong believer in karma, she tries to live a righteous life
  • He is a believer in the power of positive thinking

Examples of usage

  • She considered herself a spiritual and devout follower of her faith.
  • The spiritual led the congregation in prayer.

Translations

Translations of the word "spiritual" in other languages:

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡น espiritual

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ณ เค†เคงเฅเคฏเคพเคคเฅเคฎเคฟเค•

๐Ÿ‡ฉ๐Ÿ‡ช spirituell

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ฉ spiritual

๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ะดัƒั…ะพะฒะฝะธะน

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ฑ duchowy

๐Ÿ‡ฏ๐Ÿ‡ต ็ฒพ็ฅž็š„ใช

๐Ÿ‡ซ๐Ÿ‡ท spirituel

๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ธ espiritual

๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ท ruhsal

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ท ์˜์ ์ธ

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ุฑูˆุญูŠ

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ฟ duchovnรญ

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฐ duchovnรฝ

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ณ ็ฒพ็ฅž็š„

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฎ duhoven

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ธ andlegur

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ฟ ั€ัƒั…ะฐะฝะธ

๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ช แƒกแƒฃแƒšแƒ˜แƒ”แƒ แƒ˜

๐Ÿ‡ฆ๐Ÿ‡ฟ mษ™nษ™vi

๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ฝ espiritual

Etymology

The word 'spiritual' originated from the Latin word 'spiritualis', meaning 'of breathing, of wind, or of spirit'. The term was first used in the 14th century to describe things pertaining to the spirit or soul. Over time, it evolved to encompass a broader sense of connection to something beyond the physical realm, including religious beliefs and practices.

See also: dispiritedly, dispiriting, spirited, spiritedness, spiritlessly, spirits, spiritualist, spirituality, spiritualize, spiritually.

Word Frequency Rank

This word ranks #1,903, placing it within important intermediate vocabulary. Learning it will significantly improve your ability to express yourself in English.