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📕 rednote ID(小红书号)：3881567312

Spiritual: Definition, Usage, and Examples (2 meaning)

Meaning 1：related to the spirit or inner self (spiritual)

spiritual 🔊

/ˈspɪrɪtʃuəl/

adj.

Related to deep feelings inside you, like peace, meaning, or connection to something bigger, not physical things.

Spiritual meaning illustrated by a person meditating peacefully at sunrise.

related to the spirit or inner self 🔊

➕

/rɪˈleɪtɪd tə ðə ˈspɪrɪt ɔːr ˈɪnər self/

adj.

Pertaining to non-material aspects of human experience, such as emotions, beliefs, peace, or connection to something greater than oneself.

📁 Category：Physical & Mental Health 🔖 Level：Intermediate

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

From Latin 'spiritus' (breath, spirit) + suffix '-ual', meaning 'relating to'.

💡 Mnemonic

Think 'spirit' inside you – spiritual is about that inner essence, not the physical body.

📖 Example

After her yoga class, she felt a deep sense of spiritual peace. 🔊 She experienced profound inner tranquility following her yoga session.

🔗 Collocations

spiritual growth – development of one's inner self or beliefs

spiritual journey – personal exploration of meaning and purpose

spiritual leader – person guiding others in matters of faith or inner growth

🔄 Synonyms

sacred (adj.) – connected with divinity or deserving deep respect

religious (adj.) – relating to or involving belief in a religion

inner (adj.) – existing within the mind or soul

🚫 Antonyms

material (adj.) – concerned with physical things rather than spiritual matters

secular (adj.) – not connected with religious or spiritual aspects

physical (adj.) – related to the body or tangible objects

🌱 Derivatives

spirituality (n.) – the quality of being concerned with the human spirit or soul

spiritually (adv.) – in a manner relating to the spirit

📖 Cultural Story

Originates from Latin 'spiritualis', based on 'spiritus' (soul). Historically used in Christian contexts for matters of the Holy Spirit, now broadened to inner peace and non-physical experiences.

Meaning 2：a type of religious folk music (spiritual)

spiritual 🔊

/ˈspɪrɪtʃuəl/

adj.

A type of music, especially from African American history, that is religious and expresses deep, powerful feelings.

Spiritual music scene showing a passionate gospel choir singing in a church.

a type of religious folk music 🔊

➕

/ə taɪp əv rɪˈlɪdʒəs fəʊk ˈmjuːzɪk/

adj.

A genre of music, especially from African American history, characterized by religious themes and deep emotional expression through song.

📁 Category：Culture & History 🔖 Level：Intermediate

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Example

The choir's performance of the traditional spiritual moved everyone in the church to tears. 🔊 The choir's rendition of the classic spiritual emotionally affected all attendees in the church.

🔗 Collocations

sing a spiritual – perform this type of religious song

traditional spiritual – a spiritual song passed down through generations

African American spiritual – spiritual music originating from Black communities in the United States

🔄 Synonyms

gospel song (n.) – a religious song of praise, often in Christian traditions

hymn (n.) – a song of praise to God, typically used in worship

religious song (n.) – music with themes of faith and devotion

🚫 Antonyms

secular music (n.) – music not related to religion or spiritual matters

profane song (n.) – song with non-religious or irreverent content