spirituous

adjective

spir·​i·​tu·​ous ˈspir-i-chə-wəs How to pronounce spirituous (audio)
-ich-wəs
: containing or impregnated with alcohol obtained by distillation
spirituous liquors

Examples of spirituous in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The state of Arizona changed the definition of how their products are classified, from flavor extracts to spirituous liquor. — Tirion Morris, The Arizona Republic, 7 May 2021 Compared to its more spirituous cousin, the Wisconsin old-fashioned is designed for earlier social (aka happy) hours. — Samantha Leal, Bon Appétit, 10 Oct. 2024 That flavor profile — dark, spirituous, bitter — is recurring, but several entries are more lighthearted. — Esther Mobley, San Francisco Chronicle, 14 Feb. 2018

Word History

Etymology

probably from French spiritueux, from Latin spiritus spirit

First Known Use

1646, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of spirituous was in 1646

Browse Nearby Words

spirituosity
spirituous
spirituousness
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Spirituous.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/spirituous. Accessed 8 Jul. 2026.

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Medical Definition

spirituous

adjective
spir·​i·​tu·​ous ˈspir-ich-(ə-)wəs How to pronounce spirituous (audio) -ich-əs How to pronounce spirituous (audio)
ˈspir-ət-əs
: containing or impregnated with alcohol obtained by distillation

More from Merriam-Webster on spirituous

Nglish: Translation of spirituous for Spanish Speakers

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