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Definitions

soul

[sohl] / soʊl /
NOUN
psyche, inspiration, energy
Synonyms
STRONGEST
conscience courage ego feeling genius heart intellect intelligence life mind personality spirit stuff thought vitality
STRONG
anima animation animus ardor bosom bottom breast cause disposition essence fervor force individuality marrow nobility noumenon pith principle quintessence reason substance vivacity
WEAK
animating principle breath of life pneuma recesses of heart secret self spiritual being vital force élan vital
Antonyms
STRONGEST
concrete cowardice fear ignorance thing
STRONG
coolness discouragement exteriority outside
WEAK
body
NOUN
being
Synonyms
STRONGEST
body character creature ghost human being individual man person spirit woman
STRONG
mortal personage phantom shadow umbra
WEAK
living soul
Antonyms
STRONGEST
abstract being inanimate

Frequently Asked Questions

What is another word for a soul?
The literal meaning of the word soul is the spirit that’s believed to inhabit a person separate from their body—the spiritual self, as opposed to the physical self (this sense is reflected in the phrase body and soul). In this sense, some believe the soul survives after the death of the body—in a form we might call a spirit or ghost. Some people associate the soul with a person’s inner self or essence, or perhaps their personality, ego, or psyche. Soul is often also used in figurative and metaphorical ways. The phrase soul-searching means contemplating what a person feels in their heart (in the figurative sense) or conscience. Soul is sometimes used as a way to refer to a person, as in Not a soul was left on board. Expressions like old soul and creative soul emphasize a person’s sensibilities. To say that someone has soul often means that they have spirit, courage, and passion. Someone who’s described as soulful is passionate or expressive. Sometimes, soul is used to refer to the core or driving force behind something. This sometimes refers to a person, as in Kate is the soul of this operation. Heart is sometimes used in the same way, as is the phrase heart and soul. Much more specifically, soul is often used to describe things involving Black American culture, such as soul food. The word soul is commonly used as a short way of referring to soul music.
What is the difference between soul and spirit?
Soul and spirit are used interchangeably in many contexts. In some cases, though, they have different shades of meaning or are used in ways that are different altogether. Much of the time, the word soul is more intense. For example, the spirit of the nation might refer to the prevailing attitude, while the soul of the nation usually refers to something deeper—the core beliefs and values of its people. Similarly, saying that someone has spirit often means that they have a good attitude and pluck, while saying that a person has soul is similar but deeper and more intense. Use of the words differs in different ways in different contexts.

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.

See Examples For:

We’re a team of three; I think Clemente is a really young soul.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 29, 2026

Their British approach to R&B prized tightness, clarity, and buoyant precision over the loose, improvisational grit often associated with American soul.

From Salon ● Sep. 28, 2026

Acts can span from bluegrass to blues, folk to funk, salsa to soul, and everything in between.

From MarketWatch ● Sep. 24, 2026

Some feared that a game that had been long associated with intellect and creativity was losing its soul.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 23, 2026

He saw, as she spoke, what she meant: that it was too great a burden, a weight that would crush your body and soul.

From "Impossible Creatures" by Katherine Rundell

They are both only too happy to emphasise it with their messages, retro or not, designed to show the true souls of their tribes.

From BBC ● Oct. 3, 2026

Hal likens Soldiers & Sailors to Dante’s Inferno, a place where souls are damned to eternally relive their most terrible experiences.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 15, 2026

"It is a situation that fills our souls with great sorrow and pain. We have been... providing support to the families," said local mayor Jacqueline Romero.

From BBC ● Sep. 12, 2026

Nepali families were holding symbolic funeral ceremonies to "liberate the souls" of loved ones missing since deadly flash floods swept away their villages and homes in the Himalayan region a week ago.

From Barron's ● Sep. 2, 2026

“There are souls that leave Jump houses and go on to the light. On to peace,” Lou says, wiping the tears running down my face.

From "Split the Sky" by Marie Arnold

Vocabulary lists containing soul

"Encounter"

Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!

"Invictus"

Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!

"We Wear the Mask" by Paul Laurence Dunbar

Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!

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