spiritualist: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Formal/Specialized
Quick answer
What does “spiritualist” mean?
A person who believes that the spirits of the dead can communicate with the living, typically through a medium.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A person who believes that the spirits of the dead can communicate with the living, typically through a medium.
1. A practitioner of spiritualism as a religious or philosophical system. 2. More broadly, a person who prioritizes spiritual over material matters.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The term refers to the same concept in both varieties. The historical movement was significant in both the UK and US, though perhaps more culturally prominent in 19th-century America.
Connotations
Neutral-to-slightly negative in formal/academic contexts due to association with pseudoscience. Can be positive within specific religious or New Age communities.
Frequency
Low frequency in general discourse. Slightly higher frequency in historical, religious studies, or paranormal contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “spiritualist” in a Sentence
Spiritualist + who + clause (e.g., who communicates with the dead)a/the spiritualist + of + noun phrase (e.g., of the 19th century)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “spiritualist” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The group does not currently spiritualise such phenomena.
- He sought to spiritualise his daily routine.
American English
- The group does not currently spiritualize such phenomena.
- He sought to spiritualize his daily routine.
adverb
British English
- [Derived adverb 'spiritualistically' is extremely rare and not recommended for general use.]
American English
- [Derived adverb 'spiritualistically' is extremely rare and not recommended for general use.]
adjective
British English
- She attended a spiritualist church in London.
- The spiritualist meeting was held in a dimly lit hall.
American English
- She attended a Spiritualist church in Chicago.
- The spiritualist gathering was held in a dimly lit hall.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not applicable.
Academic
Used in historical, religious studies, and sociology papers to describe adherents of Spiritualism.
Everyday
Rare. Might be used when discussing paranormal topics or history.
Technical
Specific term within parapsychology and the study of new religious movements.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “spiritualist”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “spiritualist”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “spiritualist”
- Using 'spiritualist' to mean simply 'a spiritual person'. Confusing 'spiritualist' (noun) with 'spiritual' (adjective).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Not exactly. While spiritualism can be a religion (Spiritualist churches exist), the term 'spiritualist' specifically denotes belief in communication with the dead, which is not a core tenet of most major world religions.
Yes. As an adjective, it describes things related to spiritualism (e.g., 'spiritualist beliefs', 'a spiritualist meeting'). It is not a synonym for 'spiritual' in a general sense.
A spiritualist is a person who believes in the philosophy of communication with spirits. A medium is a person who claims to act as the channel for that communication. All mediums are spiritualists, but not all spiritualists are mediums.
No. Spiritualism is considered a religious, philosophical, or paranormal belief system. It is not accepted as a science, and its claims are generally not supported by the scientific method.
A person who believes that the spirits of the dead can communicate with the living, typically through a medium.
Spiritualist is usually formal/specialized in register.
Spiritualist: in British English it is pronounced /ˈspɪrɪtʃʊəlɪst/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈspɪrɪtʃuəlɪst/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[No common idioms specific to this noun]”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'SPIRIT-ual-ist' – an '-ist' is a person who believes in or practices something, in this case, communicating with SPIRITs.
Conceptual Metaphor
THE DEAD ARE A PRESENCE (spiritualists bridge the gap between the living and this presence).
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is the LEAST accurate synonym for 'spiritualist' in its core meaning?