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.
| playful | |
|---|---|
| everyday | |
| warm |
|
| professional | |
| formal | |
| literary |
playful
Fits when physical pep suits affectionate informal description
Careful Bouncy can sound patronizing when used for an adult.
everyday
Fits when animated movement and interest are the main qualities
Careful Lively can describe a place or debate without cheerful temperament.
warm
Fits when joy and energy overflow visibly
Careful Exuberant is more intense and may overwhelm a quiet setting.
professional
Fits when energy and conviction enliven participation
Careful Spirited can describe disagreement and need not be cheerful.
formal
Fits when a person's bright social animation deserves polished praise
Careful Vivacious is commonly gendered in use and can sound dated.
literary
Fits when good spirits spring back readily after difficulty
Careful Buoyant suggests emotional resilience more than physical liveliness.
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.
Definitions and examples are written for this site. How words are chosen Recording: Nesnad, American accent, from Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0 Updated
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