high spirits
7
3.2
- noun
:
buen ánimo
- After the exciting news, everyone at the party was in high spirits, laughing and celebrating together.
Examples
-
Bela and Ed stroll down the street in high spirits.
Fiction book (1994) -
But there is no doubt in my mind that she was pleased to see me in such high spirits.
Fiction book (2002) -
Your father is in very high spirits.
-
I understood your youth and your high spirits and your gift for life.
-
Nothing stood out about that night in my memory except for our high spirits.
Fiction book (2000) -
My mother entered the house that evening in high spirits after having a splendid time.
Blog text (3) -
Rachel and Tony come through the door in high spirits, their arms full of shopping bags and packages.
Fiction book (1992) -
It was Christmas Eve, and all the children were in high spirits.
-
Everyone else in the car seemed in high spirits, dressed up for travel and looking forward to reuniting with a distant clan.
Fiction book (2001) -
Dougal himself was in high spirits, and chatted and joked pleasantly as we went along.
Fiction book (1991)
Synonyms
822
3.1
A person's mood or energy, often lively and positive
434
1.0
A strong feeling of happiness and eagerness, or something that causes it
288
2.2
A strong feeling of excitement and interest in something
153
1.0
A feeling of happiness that makes people less sad
35
6.5
A strong feeling of great happiness or excitement
27
6.7
A feeling of strong, happy energy and excitement
18
5.5
A very happy and excited feeling after a big success
10
9.0
A state of great excitement and happiness, sometimes from drinking alcohol or taking drugs
8
3.5
A cheerful, carefree feeling that makes people relaxed
4
1.0
A happy mood that makes you smile and helps others feel good
4
3.0
Feeling very happy and full of energy
3
5.6
A quality of being lively and full of energy
2
7.5
Feeling very happy and excited for no clear reason
1
1.6
A feeling of happiness and energy that makes others feel hopeful
1
8.5
A feeling of cheerful, lively energy that people show
1
5.5
Feeling very pleased and excited
1
6.5
A strong feeling of great joy that people show openly
1
3.0
A strong feeling of great happiness
A lively, cheerful energy that makes people feel happy
A feeling of happiness and energy that makes someone feel positive
A period when people feel positive and things go well
A happy relaxed feeling when people laugh and joke
Feeling happy and cheerful
A strong feeling of great joy after success
A strong feeling of happy excitement that makes you smile
Feeling very energetic and excited
Antonyms
How Cheerful
7
3.2
108
1.0
Surface Forms
Morphology
The meaning 'a feeling of great happiness or cheerfulness' is directly and compositionally derived from 'high' (elevated) + 'spirit(s)' (mood/energy): an 'elevated mood' maps clearly onto being cheerful. This is a common and transparent adjective+noun metaphor in English (and has close equivalents across languages), so a B1 learner who knows both words will very likely infer the MWE's meaning.
Etymology
High spirits may come from the old idea that 'spirits' meant a person's lively energy or a strong drink. Picture invisible spirits lifting you up so you are high and feel bright and excited. That's why it means 'great happiness' or a lively, cheerful mood.