Synonyms

animal spirits

American

noun

exuberance arising from an excess of energy; vivacity and good humor.

The children romped on the lawn, full of animal spirits.

animal spirits British

plural noun

cheerful and exuberant boisterousness

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of animal spirits

First recorded in 1535–45

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

It’s on the supply-side, in a dearth of animal spirits and domestic competition.

From The Wall Street Journal

None of this means that the investment markets’ performance is always driven by animal spirits.

From Los Angeles Times

Unlike Burry, he still articulated confidence in U.S. stocks, arguing that an anticipated 17% growth in S&P 500 earnings and “a broadening in earnings contribution alongside animal spirits, higher capex and rebounding economic activity” will bolster stocks.

From MarketWatch

Animal spirits are astir after several decades of hibernation.

From The Wall Street Journal

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023