Apparition: meaning, definitions and examples

Used when referring to a sudden or unexpected appearance, often in a spooky or mystical setting.

• She claimed to see an apparition in the old mansion
• The apparition disappeared as quickly as it had appeared

Commonly used in general contexts to describe the spirit of a dead person, often in haunted houses or ghost stories. Suitable for both casual and formal settings.

• The children were afraid that a ghost haunted the attic
• The ghost of the old man was said to wander the halls at midnight

Utilized mainly in poetic or literary contexts to evoke a sense of dread or foreboding. This word can have a stronger negative connotation.

• The specter of famine loomed over the devastated land
• He felt a specter of fear whenever he entered the abandoned house

Often used to describe an illusion or a figment of the imagination. It can also imply something elusive or mysterious.

• People have reported seeing a phantom ship on foggy nights
• Her face haunted him like a phantom from his past

Broader usage encompassing the non-physical presence of someone, an ethereal being, or even the essence of a person or place. Often used in philosophical or religious contexts.

• Many cultures believe in the presence of spirits in nature
• She felt the spirit of her ancestors watching over her