High-spirited means full of energy, enthusiasm, and liveliness. A high-spirited person has a bold, cheerful personality and approaches life with zest and confidence. High-spirited kids might be the ones organizing games at recess, bursting with ideas during class discussions, or bouncing with excitement about a field trip.

The word often describes someone whose energy and enthusiasm are hard to contain. A high-spirited horse prances and tosses its head, eager to run. A high-spirited puppy jumps and plays with boundless energy. A high-spirited debate team member might speak with passion and conviction, energizing everyone around them.

While high-spirited people bring excitement and joy, their intense energy can sometimes create challenges. Teachers might describe a high-spirited classroom as one that's hard to settle down. Parents might find their high-spirited toddler exhausting but delightful. The word carries a generally positive meaning: it suggests vitality and courage rather than rudeness or disobedience. Being high-spirited means having a natural enthusiasm for life that's genuine and infectious, even when it occasionally needs to be guided in the right direction.