High spirits
What it means
A cheerful, lively, and confident state of mind.
Reach for it when describing visible group or personal exuberance
The volunteers' high spirits survived the sudden change of venue.
Words to choose between 6
| everyday | |
|---|---|
| warm |
|
| professional | |
| formal | |
| literary |
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everyday
cheerfulness
Fits when a pleasant positive mood is the simple fact
Careful Cheerfulness is milder and less energetic than high spirits.
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warm
good humor
Fits when an easy, sociable mood shapes interactions
Careful Good humor can be calm and does not suggest active excitement.
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professional
Fits when animated behavior or atmosphere is being observed
Careful Liveliness can arise from tension or noise without happiness.
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formal
Fits when success has produced intense happiness
Careful Elation normally has a clear cause and may be brief.
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formal
Fits when joy and energy overflow visibly
Careful Exuberance can be disruptive or excessive and need not include confidence.
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literary
buoyancy
Fits when good spirits recover quickly after difficulty
Careful Buoyancy emphasizes resilience and can be quiet rather than lively.
Opposites 3
- low spirits
- gloom
- dejection
Common phrases 4
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in high spirits
The cast arrived in high spirits for the final rehearsal.
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keep up high spirits
Songs helped keep up high spirits during the delayed journey.
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high spirits spread
The children's high spirits spread through the picnic crowd.
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youthful high spirits
Youthful high spirits need room to move as well as thoughtful boundaries.
Definitions and examples are written for this site. How words are chosen Recording: Flame, not lame, American accent, from Wikimedia Commons, CC0 Updated