A soul is what many people believe is the deepest, most essential part of a person, the part that makes you uniquely you. It's the inner core that connects to your body, thoughts, and feelings while being distinct from them. Different religions and philosophies describe the soul differently, but most agree it's what makes you fundamentally who you are, the part that some believe continues existing even after the body dies.

When someone says a piece of music has soul, they mean it expresses deep, genuine emotion. When a basketball player plays with soul, they're putting their whole heart into the game, bringing complete passion and commitment to every moment. A soulful performance feels authentic and moving because the person shares something real from deep within themselves, giving the audience access to their inner truth.

The word also appears in phrases that capture this sense of inner essence. Your soul mate would be someone who understands and connects with your deepest self. To bare your soul means to reveal your most private thoughts and feelings. When something crushes your soul, it hurts you at the deepest level.

Soul can also describe a warm, emotional style of music that originated in African American communities in the 1950s and 60s, combining gospel, rhythm and blues, and jazz. Artists like Aretha Franklin and Ray Charles created soul music that expressed profound feeling and authenticity.