noun

zeitgeist

/ˈzaɪtɡaɪst/ · say it: TSYT·gyest

the defining spirit or mood of a period

In Arts & Culture

In more detail

the general spirit, mood, and set of ideas and beliefs that are typical of a particular time in history

Examples

The 1960s zeitgeist emphasized social change and personal freedom.

How to use zeitgeist

Zeitgeist is used to describe the dominant ideas, values, and mood that define a historical period or generation. It is most commonly used in cultural criticism, history, and social analysis to explain why certain attitudes, artistic movements, or beliefs emerged at a particular time. The word has a somewhat formal or intellectual tone and often appears in academic or journalistic writing.

Common phrases

capture the zeitgeist
reflect the zeitgeist
embody the zeitgeist
zeitgeist of the era
zeitgeist of the 1960s

Synonyms

spirit of the age · spirit of the times · prevailing mood · cultural climate · intellectual atmosphere

A common mistake

Learners sometimes use zeitgeist to refer to the opinions of a single group or subculture rather than the broader, pervasive mood of an entire era or society.

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