High-spirited
adj.energetic, joyfulwarm
What it means
Lively, energetic, and openly cheerful in temperament or behavior.
Reach for it when praising exuberant energy when it is welcome rather than disruptive
The high-spirited dancers filled the square before the music officially began.
Choose between these
6- playful
physical pep suits affectionate informal description
not when Bouncy can sound patronizing when used for an adult.
- everyday
animated movement and interest are the main qualities
not when Lively can describe a place or debate without cheerful temperament.
- warm
joy and energy overflow visibly
not when Exuberant is more intense and may overwhelm a quiet setting.
- professional
energy and conviction enliven participation
not when Spirited can describe disagreement and need not be cheerful.
- formal
a person's bright social animation deserves polished praise
not when Vivacious is commonly gendered in use and can sound dated.
- literary
good spirits spring back readily after difficulty
not when Buoyant suggests emotional resilience more than physical liveliness.
Said against
3- listless
- subdued
- low-spirited
It naturally appears in
3- high-spirited child
The high-spirited child settled happily once the outdoor games began.
- high-spirited performance
A high-spirited performance brought the tired audience to its feet.
- high-spirited debate
The high-spirited debate stayed generous and evidence-based.
Where this comes from
- Wiktionary, English adjective sense: full of lively energy and enthusiasm opens in a new tab · retrieved 2026-07-26
The definition and the example on this page are written here. The dictionaries above ground which meaning is being described, not the wording.