Pronunciation

/ɡoʊst/

Definitions

• Noun: A supernatural being or spirit, typically represented as a vague, shadowy figure, believed to be the soul or spirit of a dead person that can appear to the living. Example: “The old mansion was said to be haunted by the ghost of its former owner.”
• Verb (transitive): To haunt or frequent as a ghost; to visit or appear to (a person) as a ghost. Example: “She believed her grandfather’s ghost had ghosted her in her dreams.”
• Verb (intransitive): To disappear suddenly and without explanation, especially from a social situation or relationship. Informal usage. Example: “After two dates, he ghosted her, never to be heard from again.”

Phrases

• “Give up the ghost”: To die or stop functioning. Example: “The old car finally gave up the ghost after 20 years on the road.”
• “Haunted by ghosts”: To be troubled or affected by memories of the past. Example: “She was still haunted by ghosts of her childhood trauma.”
• “A ghost town”: An abandoned or deserted place that once was inhabited or busy. Example: “The gold rush ended, and now it’s just a ghost town.”

Example Sentences

• Noun: “In the legend, the ghost would walk the castle halls every night.”
• Verb (transitive): “Legend has it that the pirate captain continues to ghost his former ship during full moons.”
• Verb (intransitive): “He seemed interested until he abruptly ghosted me and stopped responding to texts.”

Synonyms

• Spirit
• Phantom
• Apparition
• Specter
• Wraith
• Poltergeist (for a mischievous or malevolent ghost)
• Haunt (as a verb)
• Disappear (for the informal, non-supernatural meaning)