IN HIGH SPIRITS

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 Dictionary entry overview: What does in high spirits mean? 

• IN HIGH SPIRITS (adjective)
  The adjective IN HIGH SPIRITS has 1 sense:

1. happy and excited and energetic

  Familiarity information: IN HIGH SPIRITS used as an adjective is very rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• IN HIGH SPIRITS (adjective)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Happy and excited and energetic

Synonyms:

high; in high spirits

Similar:

elated (exultantly proud and joyful; in high spirits)

 Context examples 

They were all in high spirits and good humour, eager to be happy, and determined to submit to the greatest inconveniences and hardships rather than be otherwise.

(Sense and Sensibility, by Jane Austen)

I set off, therefore, in high spirits, for I felt that I had done good work and was bringing back a fine budget of news for my companions.

(The Lost World, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

However, it seemed to me that I had done a fairly good morning’s work, and I walked back in high spirits to Farnham.

(The Return of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

She was in high spirits, and surrounded by those who were giving all the support of their own bad sense to her too lively mind.

(Mansfield Park, by Jane Austen)

He was in high spirits; as ready to talk and laugh as ever, and seemed delighted to speak of his former visit, and recur to old stories: and he was not without agitation.

(Emma, by Jane Austen)

They agreed to say nothing of what they had learned, and went back to their rooms in high spirits.

(The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, by L. Frank Baum)

Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when in high spirits.

(The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

Anne was now at hand to take up her own cause, and the sincerity of her manner being soon sufficient to convince him, where conviction was at least very agreeable, he had no farther scruples as to her being left to dine alone, though he still wanted her to join them in the evening, when the child might be at rest for the night, and kindly urged her to let him come and fetch her, but she was quite unpersuadable; and this being the case, she had ere long the pleasure of seeing them set off together in high spirits.

(Persuasion, by Jane Austen)

I remarked that, once or twice when Mr. Quinion was talking, he looked at Mr. Murdstone sideways, as if to make sure of his not being displeased; and that once when Mr. Passnidge (the other gentleman) was in high spirits, he trod upon his foot, and gave him a secret caution with his eyes, to observe Mr. Murdstone, who was sitting stern and silent.

(David Copperfield, by Charles Dickens)

I go to Lady Stornaway after Easter; she seems in high spirits, and very happy.

(Mansfield Park, by Jane Austen)