zeitgeist
English meaning: Zeitgeist
English Definition
(English)The zeitgeist captures what a historical moment feels like from within — the assumptions, anxieties, aspirations, and styles that define an era. It is distinct from any individual's views, representing instead the collective cultural and intellectual atmosphere. Artists, writers, and philosophers both reflect and shape their zeitgeist. The 1960s zeitgeist was defined by civil rights, anti-war sentiment, and cultural liberation.
English Definition
The defining spirit or mood of a particular period of history as shown by the ideas and beliefs of the time. From German: Zeit (time) + Geist (spirit). A concept associated with Hegel, who saw the Zeitgeist as the collective consciousness of an era.
Example
“The early 2020s zeitgeist was defined by pandemic anxiety, social justice movements, digital disconnection, and a reassessment of what matters in life.”
In English: “The pandemic reshaped the global zeitgeist — forcing collective reflection on work, community, and human vulnerability.”
Synonyms
- spirit of the times
- cultural mood
- collective consciousness
Literary Heritage
“Culture may even be described simply as that which makes life worth living.”
“Culture may even be described simply as that which makes life worth living.”
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Language information
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- English
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- Indo-European
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