soul

[ sohl ]

noun

1. the principle of life, feeling, thought, and action in humans, regarded as a distinct entity separate from the body, and commonly held to be separable in existence from the body; the spiritual part of humans as distinct from the physical part.

   Synonyms: spirit

2. the spiritual part of humans regarded in its moral aspect, or as believed to survive death and be subject to happiness or misery in a life to come:

   arguing the immortality of the soul.

3. the disembodied spirit of a deceased person:

   He feared the soul of the deceased would haunt him.

4. the emotional part of human nature; the seat of the feelings or sentiments.

   Synonyms: heart

5. a human being; person.
6. high-mindedness; noble warmth of feeling, spirit or courage, etc.
7. the animating principle; the essential element or part of something.

   Synonyms: heart, core, essence

8. the inspirer or moving spirit of some action, movement, etc.
9. the embodiment of some quality:

   He was the very soul of tact.

10. (initial capital letter) Christian Science. God; the divine source of all identity and individuality.
11. shared ethnic awareness and pride among Black people, especially Black Americans.
12. deeply felt emotion, as conveyed or expressed by a performer or artist.
13. soul music.

adjective

1. of, characteristic of, or for Black Americans or their culture:

   soul newspapers.

soul

¹

/ səʊl /

noun

1. the spirit or immaterial part of man, the seat of human personality, intellect, will, and emotions, regarded as an entity that survives the body after death pneumatic
2. Christianity the spiritual part of a person, capable of redemption from the power of sin through divine grace
3. the essential part or fundamental nature of anything
4. a person's feelings or moral nature as distinct from other faculties
5. 1. Also calledsoul music a type of Black music resulting from the addition of jazz, gospel, and pop elements to the urban blues style
   2. ( as modifier )

      a soul singer

6. modifier of or relating to Black Americans and their culture

   soul food

   soul brother

7. nobility of spirit or temperament

   a man of great soul and courage

8. an inspiring spirit or leading figure, as of a cause or movement
9. a person regarded as typifying some characteristic or quality

   the soul of discretion

10. a person; individual

    an honest soul

11. the life and soul
    See life
12. upon my soul!
    an exclamation of surprise

Soul

²

/ səʊl /

noun

1. Christian Science another word for God

Derived Forms

• ˈsoul-ˌlike, adjective

Other Words From

• soullike adjective
• under·soul noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of soul¹

First recorded before 900; Middle English; Old English sāwl, sāwol; cognate with Dutch ziel, German Seele, Old Norse sāl, Gothic saiwala

Word History and Origins

Origin of soul¹

Old English sāwol; related to Old Frisian sēle, Old Saxon sēola, Old High German sēula soul

Idioms and Phrases

In addition to the idiom beginning with soul , also see bare one's soul ; heart and soul ; keep body and soul together ; kindred spirit (soul) ; living soul .

Example Sentences

But drones and a few brave souls who lowered themselves into places untouched since dinosaurs roamed the Earth have revealed new treasures - and turned China’s sinkholes into a tourist attraction.

From BBC

It’s still getting to their soul and what’s going to make them the best player.

From Los Angeles Times

Warm or cold, charming or sneering, gazing down from society’s top rung or desperately trying to get there, he is the craven soul of a corrupt social system.

From Los Angeles Times

We sold our collective soul during the election, at least the six major companies that own and operate 90 percent of what you see, read or hear did as much.

From Salon

Physicality is something that helps me connect mind, body and soul.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• conscience
• courage
• ego
• feeling
• genius
• heart
• intellect
• intelligence
• life
• mind
• personality
• spirit
• stuff
• thought
• vitality