This television program provoked a spirited debate in the United Kingdom.
spiritedlygraded adverb [ADVERB with verb]
She had talked spiritedly about her adventures.
2. adjective [usually ADJECTIVE noun]
A spirited person is very active, lively, and confident.
He was by nature a spirited little boy.
More Synonyms of spirited
-spirited
(-spɪrɪtɪd)
1. combining form
-spirited combines with adjectives to describe a person's character, attitude, or behaviour. For example, a mean-spirited person behaves in a way that is unkind to other people; a free-spirited person behaves freely and does as they please.
That's a mean-spirited thing for a mother to say.
Murray was an affable, free-spirited man.
2. See also high-spirited, public-spirited
spirited in British English
(ˈspɪrɪtɪd)
adjective
1.
displaying animation, vigour, or liveliness
2. (in combination)
characterized by mood, temper, or disposition as specified
high-spirited
public-spirited
Derived forms
spiritedly (ˈspiritedly)
adverb
spiritedness (ˈspiritedness)
noun
spirited in American English
(ˈspɪrɪtɪd)
adjective
1.
full of spirit; lively; energetic; animated
2.
having a (specified) character, mood, or disposition
public-spirited, low-spirited
Derived forms
spiritedly (ˈspiritedly)
adverb
spiritedness (ˈspiritedness)
noun
Examples of 'spirited' in a sentence
spirited
When you spirited them away from the house, it wasn't to hand them over to authority.
Hilton, John Buxton THE INNOCENTS AT HOME (A SUPERINTENDENT KENWORTHY NOVEL) (2002)
She was intelligent and spirited, she could learn how to live in this new world, a world far removed from her hard-working background.
Cathy Kelly JUST BETWEEN US (2002)
He loved the line drawings of scenery, battles, human proportions and horses in spirited motion.
Adair, Tom (Intro) THREE KINDS OF KISSING - SCOTTISH SHORT STORIES (2002)
There was a high breeze outside, the kind of spirited wind that dries laundry.
Armstrong, Campbell MAMBO (2002)
In other languages
spirited
British English: spirited ADJECTIVE
A spirited action shows great energy and courage.
This television programme provoked a spirited debate.
American English: spirited
Brazilian Portuguese: animado
Chinese: 激烈的
European Spanish: enérgico
French: animé
German: lebendig
Italian: vivace
Japanese: 活発な
Korean: 용기 있는
European Portuguese: animado
Latin American Spanish: enérgico
All related terms of 'spirited'
spirit
Your spirit is the part of you that is not physical and that consists of your character and feelings.
free-spirited
characterized by independence and unconventionality
high-spirited
Someone who is high-spirited is very lively and easily excited .
low-spirited
depressed , dejected , or miserable
mean-spirited
characterized by malice or pettiness
poor-spirited
lacking in spirit ; cowardly
public-spirited
A public-spirited person tries to help the community that they belong to.
(adjective)
Definition
showing liveliness or courage
He wanted merely to provoke a spirited debate.
Synonyms
lively
She had a sweet, lively personality.
vigorous
The choir and orchestra gave a vigorous performance of Haydn's oratorio.
energetic
Two-year-olds can be incredibly energetic.
animated
Everyone became more animated.
game
They were the only ones game enough to give it a try.
active
the tragedy of an active mind trapped by failing physical health
bold
sparkling
have-a-go (informal)
courageous
ardent
feisty (informal)
At 66, she was as feisty as ever.
plucky
The plucky schoolgirl amazed doctors by hanging on to life.
high-spirited
Her high-spirited demeanour was not ideally suited for palace life.
sprightly
the sprightly 85-year-old president
vivacious
a beautiful, vivacious and charming young woman
spunky (informal)
mettlesome
She was bright and mettlesome - a real go-getter.
(as) game as Ned Kelly (Australian, slang)
Opposites
calm
,
dull
,
lacklustre
,
lifeless
,
apathetic
,
weary
,
bland
,
low-key
,
feeble
,
timid
,
dispirited
,
unenthusiastic
,
spiritless
,
half-hearted
Additional synonyms
in the sense of active
Definition
busy and energetic
the tragedy of an active mind trapped by failing physical health
Synonyms
energetic,
strong,
spirited,
quick,
vital,
alert,
dynamic,
lively,
vigorous,
potent,
animated,
vibrant,
forceful,
nimble,
diligent,
industrious,
sprightly,
vivacious,
on the go (informal),
alive and kicking,
spry,
full of beans (informal),
bright-eyed and bushy-tailed (informal)
in the sense of animated
Definition
interesting and lively
Everyone became more animated.
Synonyms
lively,
spirited,
quick,
excited,
active,
vital,
dynamic,
enthusiastic,
passionate,
vivid,
vigorous,
energetic,
vibrant,
brisk,
buoyant,
ardent,
airy,
fervent,
zealous,
elated,
ebullient,
sparky,
sprightly,
vivacious,
gay (old-fashioned),
alive and kicking,
full of beans (informal),
zestful
in the sense of energetic
Definition
having or showing energy and enthusiasm
Two-year-olds can be incredibly energetic.
Synonyms
lively,
spirited,
active,
dynamic,
vigorous,
animated,
brisk,
tireless,
bouncy,
indefatigable,
alive and kicking,
zippy (informal),
full of beans (informal),
bright-eyed and bushy-tailed (informal)
Nearby words of
spirited
spire
spirit
spirit something or someone away
spirited
spiritless
spiritual
spit
Related terms of
spirited
high-spirited
low-spirited
public-spirited
spirit something or someone away
Synonyms of 'spirited'
spirited
Explore 'spirited' in the dictionary
Additional synonyms
in the sense of feisty
Definition
frisky
At 66, she was as feisty as ever.
Synonyms
fiery,
spirited,
active,
bold,
lively,
sparkling,
vigorous,
energetic,
animated,
have-a-go (informal),
courageous,
ardent,
game,
plucky,
high-spirited,
sprightly,
vivacious,
spunky (informal),
mettlesome,
(as) game as Ned Kelly (Australian, slang)
in the sense of game
Definition
full of fighting spirit
They were the only ones game enough to give it a try.
Synonyms
brave,
courageous,
dogged,
spirited,
daring,
bold,
persistent,
gritty,
fearless,
feisty (informal),
persevering,
intrepid,
valiant,
plucky,
unflinching,
dauntless,
ballsy (taboo, slang),
heroic,
valorous,
(as) game as Ned Kelly (Australian, slang)
in the sense of high-spirited
Definition
lively and wishing to have fun and excitement
Her high-spirited demeanour was not ideally suited for palace life.
Synonyms
lively,
spirited,
vivacious,
vital,
daring,
dashing,
bold,
energetic,
animated,
vibrant,
exuberant,
bouncy,
boisterous,
fun-loving,
ebullient,
sparky,
effervescent,
alive and kicking,
full of life,
spunky (informal),
full of beans (informal),
frolicsome,
mettlesome
in the sense of mettlesome
She was bright and mettlesome - a real go-getter.
Synonyms
courageous,
daring,
dashing,
bold,
lively,
vigorous,
fiery,
brisk,
ardent,
game (informal),
feisty (informal),
valiant,
plucky,
high-spirited,
sprightly,
frisky,
mettled,
(as) game as Ned Kelly (Australian, slang)
in the sense of plucky
Definition
courageous
The plucky schoolgirl amazed doctors by hanging on to life.
Synonyms
courageous,
spirited,
brave,
daring,
bold,
game (old-fashioned),
hardy,
heroic,
gritty,
feisty (informal),
gutsy (slang),
intrepid,
valiant,
doughty (old-fashioned),
undaunted,
unflinching,
spunky (informal, old-fashioned),
ballsy (slang),
mettlesome,
(as) game as Ned Kelly (Australian, slang)
in the sense of sprightly
Definition
lively and active
the sprightly 85-year-old president
Synonyms
lively,
spirited,
active,
energetic,
animated,
brisk,
nimble,
agile,
jaunty,
gay (old-fashioned),
perky,
vivacious,
spry,
bright-eyed and bushy-tailed
in the sense of vigorous
Definition
having physical or mental energy
The choir and orchestra gave a vigorous performance of Haydn's oratorio.