soulful

[ sohl-fuhl ]

adjective

1. of or expressive of deep feeling or emotion:

   soulful eyes.

soulful

/ ˈsəʊlfʊl /

adjective

1. ironic.
   expressing profound thoughts or feelings

   soulful music

Derived Forms

• ˈsoulfulness, noun
• ˈsoulfully, adverb

Other Words From

• soulful·ly adverb
• soulful·ness noun
• un·soulful adjective
• un·soulful·ly adverb
• un·soulful·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of soulful¹

First recorded in 1860–65; soul + -ful

Example Sentences

One of the many guests to pop up on Tyler, the Creator’s aforementioned “Chromakopia” is the 23-year-old British singer Lola Young, who adds soulful backing vocals to the wrenching “Like Him.”

From New York Times

Lady Gaga performed a soulful version of “God Bless America” and spoke about empowering women, revving up the crowd.

From Los Angeles Times

Portuguese Catholic parishes and Portuguese halls — where weddings, festas and soulful fado concerts take place — dot the tiny towns that stretch from roughly Bakersfield to Redding.

From Los Angeles Times

Throughout this discursively soulful book runs a series of interconnected questions: Why did I make it when so many others didn’t?

From Los Angeles Times

Following her into a tiny theater, he discovers she’s trying out actors for her first play, about a soulful, sad, disfigured man named Edward.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• expressive
• impassioned
• passionate
• stirring
• touching