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.

On Aug. 1, a 12-piece jazz ensemble will gather in tribute to the late Roy Ayers, the pioneering jazz-funk vibraphonist and godfather of neo soul.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 12, 2026

When the city starts to swelter, the smell of trash sticks ineradicably to a garbageman’s body and soul.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 12, 2026

For Patton Oswalt, it’s at slop bowls, an Internet slang term used to describe fast-casual meals that emphasize efficiency rather than flavor or any soul.

From Salon • Jun. 8, 2026

His wife had started to offer last rite prayers for his soul, she told AFP.

From BBC • Jun. 5, 2026

I want to sleep so that maybe by the time I wake up, my body and heart and soul will have mended themselves without me even having had to do the work.

From "The Brightwood Code" by Monica Hesse

soul

Frequently Asked Questions

Example Sentences

Vocabulary lists containing soul

"Encounter"

"Invictus"

"We Wear the Mask" by Paul Laurence Dunbar

soul

Frequently Asked Questions

Example Sentences

Related Words

Vocabulary lists containing soul

"Encounter"

"Invictus"

"We Wear the Mask" by Paul Laurence Dunbar