zeitgeist

[tsahyt-, zahyt-gahyst] / ˈtsaɪt-, ˈzaɪtˌgaɪst /

NOUN

spirit of the time

Synonyms

STRONG

climate outlook spirit trend

WEAK

ambience atmosphere disposition feeling flavor inclination leaning milieu movement tendency tenor tone

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

But the zeitgeist around the internet was that it would connect the world and improve lives.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 24, 2026

I’m always interested in the zeitgeist and how we fit into that, but not necessarily to be on trend.

From Los Angeles Times • May 14, 2026

Ever since she took back creative control of her brand about six years ago, Tory Burch is back at the center of the American fashion zeitgeist.

From Los Angeles Times • May 14, 2026

But these individual feats seem less important than the zeitgeist of the era.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 24, 2026

So Sophy left off trying to understand clearly all the "ologies" and fly-wheel within fly-wheel movements of the day, and contented herself with a general apprehension of the zeitgeist.

From Shadows of Flames A Novel by Rives, Amélie