Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Happy, excited, and energetic: Feeling or showing great happiness, enthusiasm, and liveliness.

Usage

• The phrase "in high spirits" is used as an adjective to describe a person's or group's cheerful and energetic emotional state. It typically follows a linking verb like "be," "feel," or "seem."
• It describes a temporary mood, not a permanent personality trait.

Examples

• Adjective:
  • The team was in high spirits after their victory.
  • Despite the rain, the crowd remained in high spirits throughout the festival.
  • She felt in high spirits on the morning of her graduation.

Advanced Usage

• "to be in high spirits": The most common construction.
  • The children were in high spirits, running and laughing in the park.
• "to keep/remain in high spirits": To maintain a cheerful mood.
  • He managed to keep in high spirits even during difficult times.

Variants and Related Words

• High-spirited (adj): Having a lively, cheerful, and energetic character.
  • She is a high-spirited individual who loves adventure.
• Spirits (n, plural): A person's mood or emotional state.
  • His spirits lifted when he heard the good news.

Synonyms

• Elated: Very happy and excited.
• Exuberant: Full of energy, excitement, and cheerfulness.
• Jubilant: Feeling or expressing great happiness and triumph.
• Cheerful: Noticeably happy and optimistic.

Antonyms

• In low spirits: Feeling sad, depressed, or lacking energy.
• Despondent: In low spirits from loss of hope or courage.
• Dejected: Sad and depressed; dispirited.

Related Idioms

• "to lift someone's spirits": To make someone feel happier.
  • The sunny weather really lifted my spirits.
• "in good spirits": Similar to "in high spirits," meaning cheerful and happy.
  • The patient was in good spirits after the successful surgery.

Adjective

1. happy and excited and energetic