soul
1 of 2noun
ˈsōl 
1
: the immaterial essence, animating principle, or actuating cause of an individual life
2
a
: the spiritual principle embodied in human beings, all rational and spiritual beings, or the universe
b
capitalized Christian Science : god sense 1b
3
: a person's total self
4
a
: an active or essential part
b
: a moving spirit : leader
5
a
: the moral and emotional nature of human beings
b
: the quality that arouses emotion and sentiment
c
: spiritual or moral force : fervor
6
: person
not a soul in sight
7
: personification
she is the soul of integrity
8
a
: a strong positive feeling (as of intense sensitivity and emotional fervor) conveyed especially by African American performers
b
: cultural consciousness and pride among people of African heritage
c
: soul music
d
: soul food
e
: soul brother
soul
2 of 2adjective
: of, relating to, or characteristic of Black Americans or their culture
It will feature various local musicians such as Faithe, Rashawn Stallworth and Jamal Steele, all who embody a hip-hop and soul style to their music.—
Kamal Morgan
see also soul brother, soul food, soul music, soul sister Kamal Morgan
Synonyms
Noun
- psyche
- spirit
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
Noun the souls of the dead He could not escape the guilt that he felt in the inner recesses of his soul. Some poor soul was asking for handouts on the street. a village of barely a hundred souls
Recent Examples on the WebClifford Prince King, Los Angeles Times, 9 Feb. 2023 Like the others in his party, Leonard is a seemingly ordinary dude given an extraordinarily difficult task, and his gentle tortured soul belies his intimidating presence. —Brian Truitt, USA TODAY, 2 Feb. 2023 Although many honored that request, many more instead gave money to their churches for a certain number of Masses, or even perpetual Masses, to be said for his soul. —Judith Martin, oregonlive, 27 Jan. 2023 Spend this first weekend prioritizing things that spark joy and feeds your soul. —Kirah Tabourn, Condé Nast Traveler, 27 Jan. 2023 Although many honored that request, many more instead gave money to their churches for a certain number of Masses, or even perpetual Masses, to be said for his soul. —Miss Manners | Judith Martin, Anchorage Daily News, 27 Jan. 2023 Has Greg sold his soul for good after siding with Tom at Caroline’s wedding? —Scottie Andrew, CNN, 26 Jan. 2023 Although many honored that request, many more instead gave money to their churches for a certain number of Masses, or even perpetual Masses, to be said for his soul. —Jacobina Martin, Washington Post, 26 Jan. 2023 Don’t let her old-soul brown eyes and prematurely gray fur fool you. —Kay Lazar, BostonGlobe.com, 9 Dec. 2022 Linda Mcintosh, sandiegouniontribune.com, 9 July 2018 Soul QB Dan Raudabaugh threw for nine touchdowns and was named the game's MVP. —baltimoresun.com, 13 Aug. 2017 Harper’s Cabin Learn about the history, nutrition and culture of African American foods, and about how soul food became important to African American families, their churches and social gatherings. —Washington Post, 26 July 2017 Among its fans is soul artist Jimmy Levy of Miami, who was encouraged by his manager to try RecordGram, Mendelson said. —Nancy Dahlberg, miamiherald, 23 June 2017 See More
Noun
The sun, unobstructed by vertical living, penetrates deep into your soul here. —Clifford Prince King, Los Angeles Times, 9 Feb. 2023 Like the others in his party, Leonard is a seemingly ordinary dude given an extraordinarily difficult task, and his gentle tortured soul belies his intimidating presence. —Brian Truitt, USA TODAY, 2 Feb. 2023 Although many honored that request, many more instead gave money to their churches for a certain number of Masses, or even perpetual Masses, to be said for his soul. —Judith Martin, oregonlive, 27 Jan. 2023 Spend this first weekend prioritizing things that spark joy and feeds your soul. —Kirah Tabourn, Condé Nast Traveler, 27 Jan. 2023 Although many honored that request, many more instead gave money to their churches for a certain number of Masses, or even perpetual Masses, to be said for his soul. —Miss Manners | Judith Martin, Anchorage Daily News, 27 Jan. 2023 Has Greg sold his soul for good after siding with Tom at Caroline’s wedding? —Scottie Andrew, CNN, 26 Jan. 2023 Although many honored that request, many more instead gave money to their churches for a certain number of Masses, or even perpetual Masses, to be said for his soul. —Jacobina Martin, Washington Post, 26 Jan. 2023 Don’t let her old-soul brown eyes and prematurely gray fur fool you. —Kay Lazar, BostonGlobe.com, 9 Dec. 2022 Adjective
Learn soul line-dances choreographed to R&B, jazz, gospel and Latin tunes. —Linda Mcintosh, sandiegouniontribune.com, 9 July 2018 Soul QB Dan Raudabaugh threw for nine touchdowns and was named the game's MVP. —baltimoresun.com, 13 Aug. 2017 Harper’s Cabin Learn about the history, nutrition and culture of African American foods, and about how soul food became important to African American families, their churches and social gatherings. —Washington Post, 26 July 2017 Among its fans is soul artist Jimmy Levy of Miami, who was encouraged by his manager to try RecordGram, Mendelson said. —Nancy Dahlberg, miamiherald, 23 June 2017 See More Word History
Etymology
Noun
Middle English soule, from Old English sāwol; akin to Old High German sēula soul
First Known Use
Noun
before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Adjective
1969, in the meaning defined above
Phrases Containing soul
Kids Definition
soul
1 of 2 noun ˈsōl
1
: the spiritual part of a person believed to give life to the body and in many religions thought to live forever
2
a
: the necessary part of something
b
: a person who leads or stirs others to action : leader
the soul of the campaign
3
a
: the part of one's personality having to do with feelings and the sense of what is right and wrong
felt my soul rebel against injustice
b
: spiritual force : fervor
4
: person
a kind soul
5
a
: a strong positive feeling conveyed especially by black American performers
b
: soul music
souled adjective
ˈsōld
soul
2 of 2 adjective1
: of or relating to black Americans or their culture
soul food
2
: designed for or controlled by blacks
soul radio stations
soul
noun
1
as in spirit
an immaterial force within a human being thought to give the body life, energy, and power many religions teach that the soul is immortal Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- spirit
- psyche
- essence
- vitality
- life
- being
- quintessence
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- body
- flesh
2
as in person
a member of the human race I promise I won't tell another soul Synonyms & Similar Words
- person
- man
- life
- guy
- creature
- human
- body
- individual
- bird
- mortal
- being
- thing
- devil
- personality
- baby
- fish
- character
- customer
- bod
- party
- duck
- sort
- specimen
- egg
- personage
- scout
- wight
- face
- human being
- cookie
- fellow
- stiff
- head
- self
- cooky
- brother
- son of man
- slob
- neighbor
- homo
- somebody
- fellowman
- hominid
- humanoid
- celebrity
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- animal
- beast
- brute
- critter
- beastie
3
as in essence
the quality or qualities that make a thing what it is a kind act that was the very soul of charity Synonyms & Similar Words
- essence
- substance
- nature
- heart
- being
- manifestation
- essentiality
- quintessence
- quiddity
- spirit
- core
- stuff
- marrow
- property
- name of the game
- incarnation
- aspect
- center
- attribute
- pith
- personification
- kernel
- seat
- feature
- keynote
- epitome
- embodiment
- alpha and omega
- gist
- nub
4
as in heart
the seat of one's deepest thoughts and emotions knew in her soul that it was true Synonyms & Similar Words
- heart
- mind
- bosom
- breast
- core
- gut
- bone(s)
- blood
- conscience
- belly
- inside
- quick
- heartstrings
- inner space