What does spiritless mean?
Spiritless describes someone or something that lacks energy, enthusiasm, courage, or animation. The word often suggests a deliberate or conspicuous lack of feeling: a spiritless performance feels flat, a spiritless response seems apathetic, and a spiritless defence appears unconvincing. It is more formal and more pointed than simply saying that something is boring, because it implies that vitality or conviction has been drained away. In literary and theatrical contexts, “spiritless” can also mean lacking animation or expressive force. The adjective is commonly used with “performance,” “response,” “defence,” and “enthusiasm,” and it forms the noun “spiritlessness” and the adverb “spiritlessly.”
adjectiveLacking energy, enthusiasm, courage, or animation. Describing something dull, lifeless, or uninspired.
- Lacking energy, enthusiasm, courage, or animation.
- Characterized by a lack of vitality or vigorous feeling.
"The team gave a spirited response to the early setback."
"His spiritless reply suggested that he had already given up."
"The actors delivered a spiritless performance that failed to engage the audience."
A sentence can be perfectly grammatical and still feel spiritless; words need a pulse, not just punctuation.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does spiritless come from?
The word is formed in English from “spirit” and the suffix “-less,” literally expressing the absence of spirit or animation. “Spirit” comes through Old French from Latin “spiritus,” meaning breath, life, or soul; related English words include “spiritual,” “inspirit,” and “sprite.” The compound “spiritless” developed in English as a descriptive term for something lacking vitality, enthusiasm, or courage.
Related word forms
How spiritless is actually used
Commonly used for people, performances, responses, and arguments. It is generally more formal than saying that someone or something is dull or lifeless.
Easily confused with spiritless
Spiritless means lacking energy or enthusiasm, whereas spirited means full of energy, confidence, or animation.