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.”