adv · 3 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot
Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.
Sound
Pronunciation
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CMU ARPABET:S P IH1 R IH0 CH UW2 AH0 L IY2
Digits mark lexical stress: 1 primary, 2 secondary, 0 unstressed.
1
adv
Meaning 1
In a manner affecting, relating or pertaining to the spirit or the soul.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Examples
physically and spiritually abused
spiritually sanctified
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
2
adv
Meaning 2
Identical (or similar) in vibes to; best understood through the connotations of
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: Internet, transitive
Examples
Oxford is spiritually London.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
3
adverb
Meaning 3
in a spiritual manner
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
Examples
the ninth century was the spiritually freest period
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
History
Etymology
Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *(s)peys-der.? Latin spīrō Proto-Indo-European *-tus Proto-Italic *-tus Latin -tus Latin spīritus Proto-Indo-European *h2el-der.? Proto-Italic *-ālis Latin -ālis Late Latin spīrituālisder. Old French spirituelbor. Middle English spiritual English spiritual Proto-Indo-European *leyg-der. Proto-Germanic *līkąder. Proto-Germanic *-līkaz Proto-Germanic *-ê Proto-Germanic *-līkê Proto-West Germanic *-līkē Old English -līċe Middle English -ly English -ly English spiritually From spiritual + -ly.
Across languages
Translations
11 source translations are retained for this English entry.
Bulgarian:
духовно
(duhovno)
— in a manner affecting the spirit
Catalan:
espiritualment
— in a manner affecting the spirit
Esperanto:
anime
— in a manner affecting the spirit
Esperanto:
spirite
— in a manner affecting the spirit
Galician:
espiritualmente
— in a manner affecting the spirit
Latin:
spīritāliter
— in a manner affecting the spirit
Middle English:
gostly
— in a manner affecting the spirit
Old English:
gāstlīċe
— in a manner affecting the spirit
Portuguese:
espiritualmente
— in a manner affecting the spirit
Romanian:
sufletește
— in a manner affecting the spirit
Spanish:
espiritualmente
— in a manner affecting the spirit