Meaning & use
independent spirit
Last updated
Meanings
phrasesingular
A strong desire to think and act freely without being controlled by others.
Grammar: Usually used with 'a' or 'an': She has an independent spirit.
Patterns
- have an independent spirit
- show an independent spirit
He has an independent spirit and never follows the crowd.
Her independent spirit led her to start her own business.
The novel's hero is admired for his independent spirit.
phrasecountable
A person who thinks and acts freely, not easily influenced by others.
Grammar: Can refer to a person: She's a real independent spirit.
Patterns
- be an independent spirit
My grandmother was an independent spirit who traveled alone well into her eighties.
As an independent spirit, he preferred to work alone.
Common combinations
- have an independent spirit
- The team needs someone with an independent spirit.
- show an independent spirit
- She showed an independent spirit from a very young age.
- a true independent spirit
- He was a true independent spirit, never afraid to disagree.
Synonyms and how they differ
- free spirit
- Similar, but often suggests a more unconventional or carefree lifestyle.
- individualist
- A noun for a person who acts independently; more formal.
Opposites
Word family
- independence noun
- The state of being free from outside control.
- independently adverb
- In a way that is free from outside control.
Commonly confused: independent spirit or independent streak?
independent spirit vs independent streak
Similar but emphasizes a pattern of behavior rather than an inner quality.
Practice
She has always been ______ independent spirit, refusing to follow the rules.
Choose one answer.
'An' is correct because 'independent' begins with a vowel sound and 'spirit' is a singular countable noun. 'A' is wrong before a vowel sound; 'the' would imply a specific, previously mentioned spirit; no article is wrong because 'spirit' is countable here.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “independent spirit”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.