What does spright mean?
Spright is an archaic noun with two established uses. In its now largely obsolete supernatural sense, it refers to a spirit, apparition, elf, or other being from folklore. The word can also describe a brisk, cheerful, or energetic person, though this sense is uncommon outside older literature. Because the modern standard word is sprite, spright is encountered chiefly in historical texts and works that deliberately evoke an earlier or more fanciful register. Its unusual sound and remote associations make it especially effective in fantasy, folklore, and archaic-sounding prose. A reader encountering it today should recognize that it is related in meaning to sprite but is not normally used in contemporary conversation. In older sentences, it might refer either to a being in a story or to a lively human being, with context determining which sense is intended.
nounAn archaic word for a spirit, apparition, or other supernatural being. It was also formerly used for a brisk, cheerful, or energetic person.
- An archaic term for a spirit, apparition, elf, or other supernatural being.
- An archaic term for a brisk, cheerful, or energetic person.
"The old charm was said to protect anyone who encountered a spright in the forest."
"The villagers left offerings for the spright that haunted the old shrine."
"Despite the early hour, the young spright joined the others in a lively game."
The regular plural of the archaic noun; it appears chiefly in older literary and folkloric contexts.
"The tale tells of woodland sprights who guarded the valley after sunset."
Spright survives in modern English mainly as a reminder of the age when stories of elves and woodland spirits were written as though they might be real.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does spright come from?
The word comes through Middle English from an Old English term for a spirit or apparition. That Old English word is generally connected with the Germanic root meaning to sprout or to rise, which also underlies words such as sprout and sprig. English later developed several related forms, including the more familiar sprite, while the older form spright continued in literary use.
Related word forms
How spright is actually used
The word is now archaic or literary rather than ordinary in both British and American English. Modern speakers normally use sprite for a supernatural being and lively, cheerful, or energetic for a person.
Easily confused with spright
Sprite is the standard modern word for a small, often mischievous supernatural being, whereas spright is an archaic or obsolete equivalent.