spirituality
C1Formal to neutral
Definition
Meaning
The quality or state of being concerned with religion or the human spirit as opposed to material or physical things.
The search for a connection to something greater than oneself, which can involve a sense of peace, purpose, and meaning. This may be expressed through religion, philosophy, art, nature, or personal reflection.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Although often associated with religion, the term can be used in a secular context to denote a personal quest for meaning. It can refer to both an abstract quality and a set of practices.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant lexical or syntactic differences. The concept is equally prominent in both varieties.
Connotations
Slightly more likely to be associated with formal religious contexts in the UK, while in the US it may have a broader, more individualistic connotation encompassing both organised religion and 'New Age' practices.
Frequency
Similar frequency in both varieties. Slightly higher frequency in American English corpus data, likely due to broader public discourse on the topic.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
spirituality of [noun]spirituality in [noun/gerund]spirituality and [noun][adjective] spiritualityVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “A spiritual journey”
- “A crisis of faith (related concept)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rare. Might appear in contexts like 'workplace spirituality' or 'spiritual leadership' in management literature.
Academic
Common in theology, religious studies, psychology, and anthropology. Used with precise definitions.
Everyday
Common in discussions about personal beliefs, well-being, and meaning in life.
Technical
Used in specific contexts like 'spiritual care' in healthcare or 'spiritual formation' in religious training.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- Spiritualise (rare)
American English
- Spiritualize (rare)
adverb
British English
- Spiritually
American English
- Spiritually
adjective
British English
- Spiritual
- Non-spiritual
American English
- Spiritual
- Nonspiritual
Examples
By CEFR Level
- Many people find spirituality in nature.
- She talked about her spirituality.
- His spirituality is very important to him and guides his decisions.
- The book explores different types of spirituality around the world.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of SPIRIT-uality: it's about the quality (-ality) of your spirit or inner life, not your physical possessions.
Conceptual Metaphor
SPIRITUALITY IS A JOURNEY (e.g., 'embark on a spiritual journey'), SPIRITUALITY IS DEPTH (e.g., 'deep spirituality'), SPIRITUALITY IS CONNECTION (e.g., 'connect with one's spirituality').
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid confusing with 'духовность' (dukhovnost') in all contexts, as the Russian term can have a stronger cultural/ethical connotation beyond personal faith. 'Spirituality' is closer to 'религиозность' (religioznost') or 'внутренняя жизнь' (vnutrennyaya zhizn').
Common Mistakes
- Misspelling as 'spiritualitiy' or 'spiritiality'. Using it as a countable noun (e.g., 'She has a spirituality' is awkward; better: 'She has a strong sense of spirituality' or 'Her spirituality is important').
Practice
Quiz
In an academic context, 'spirituality' is most precisely defined as:
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. Religion typically refers to an organised system of beliefs and practices shared by a community. Spirituality is broader and more personal; it can be part of a religion or exist independently as an individual's search for meaning and connection.
Yes, this is a common distinction. Many people identify as having personal spiritual beliefs or practices (like meditation or a connection to nature) without affiliating with a specific organised religion.
Primarily uncountable. We say 'a sense of spirituality' or 'different forms of spirituality'. Using it as a countable noun ('spiritualities') is rare and typically reserved for academic texts discussing multiple distinct systems.
The adjective is 'spiritual' (e.g., spiritual beliefs, spiritual leader). The adverb is 'spiritually' (e.g., spiritually fulfilling).
Collections
Part of a collection
Cultural Topics
B2 · 47 words · Analyzing culture, society and identity.