Meaning & use
good spirits
Last updated
UK/ˌɡʊd ˈspɪrɪts/
US/ˌɡʊd ˈspɪrɪts/
Meaning
phraseplural
A cheerful and positive state of mind; a happy mood.
Grammar: Used as a plural noun phrase, typically after 'in': 'She is in good spirits.'
Patterns
- in good spirits
- someone's good spirits
Despite the bad news, she remained in good spirits.
The children were in good spirits after the party.
He tried to keep everyone in good spirits during the long wait.
Common combinations
- in good spirits
- After the exam, she was in good spirits.
- keep someone in good spirits
- His jokes kept us in good spirits.
- remain in good spirits
- He remained in good spirits despite the setback.
Synonyms and how they differ
- cheerful
- An adjective describing a happy mood; 'good spirits' is a noun phrase.
- high spirits
- Means lively and excited, sometimes too energetic; 'good spirits' is calmer and more positive.
Opposites
low spiritsbad spirits
Commonly confused: good spirits or good spirit?
good spirits vs good spirit
This usually refers to a helpful supernatural being, not a mood. The plural 'good spirits' is about mood.
Practice
Which sentence uses 'good spirits' correctly?
Choose one answer.
The phrase is used with the preposition 'in': 'in good spirits'. The other prepositions do not fit this fixed expression.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “good spirits”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.
Your sentence stays on this page and is not sent anywhere.