Phantasmal: meaning, definitions and examples

๐Ÿ‘ป
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phantasmal

 

[ หˆfรฆn.tษ™z.mษ™l ]

Adjective
Context #1 | Adjective

literary, supernatural

The term 'phantasmal' refers to something that is ghostly or spectral in nature. It derives from the word 'phantasm,' which implies an illusion or a phantom. In literature, it often describes scenes or characters that evoke a sense of the unreal or otherworldly. This term is commonly used to evoke feelings of eeriness or to describe apparitions that are not tangible. Phantasmal entities are often depicted in nightmares, dreams, or folklore as beings that are difficult to define or measure.

Synonyms

ghostly, illusory, phantom, spectral, unreal

Examples of usage

  • The phantasmal figure hovered in the moonlight.
  • She experienced a phantasmal dream that felt surreal.
  • The artist's work was filled with phantasmal imagery.
  • Legends tell of a phantasmal ship lost in the fog.

Translations

Translations of the word "phantasmal" in other languages:

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡น fantasmal

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ณ เคญเฅ‚เคคเคฟเคฏเคพ

๐Ÿ‡ฉ๐Ÿ‡ช phantasmal

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ฉ khayalan

๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ั„ะฐะฝั‚ะฐะทะผะฐะปัŒะฝะธะน

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ฑ fantazmatyczny

๐Ÿ‡ฏ๐Ÿ‡ต ๅนปๆƒณ็š„ใช

๐Ÿ‡ซ๐Ÿ‡ท fantasmagorique

๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ธ fantasmal

๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ท hayali

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ท ํ™˜์ƒ์ ์ธ

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ุฎูŠุงู„ูŠ

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ฟ fantasmรกlnรญ

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฐ fantazmรกlny

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ณ ๅนปๅฝฑ็š„

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฎ fantazmalen

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ธ fantasmal

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ฟ ั„ะฐะฝั‚ะฐะทะผะฐะปะดั‹

๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ช แƒคแƒแƒœแƒขแƒแƒ–แƒ›แƒฃแƒšแƒ˜

๐Ÿ‡ฆ๐Ÿ‡ฟ fantazm

๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ฝ fantasmal

Etymology

The word 'phantasmal' originates from the Greek word 'phantasma,' which means 'an appearance, a ghost, or an illusion.' This term made its way into Middle English, where it was used to denote a vague or illusory notion. Over time, its meaning has evolved to encompass anything that is ethereal or ghost-like. The suffix '-al' indicates it is an adjective. The connection to the supernatural is strong in this word's usage, especially in literary contexts. The fascination with phantoms and spectral beings has persisted through various cultures, often embodied in ghost stories and folklore. Language and literature have contributed to the richness of the term, cementing its association with the mysterious and the unimaginable.

Word Frequency Rank

Ranking #37,788, this word is encountered relatively rarely in everyday English. It might appear in literary works or specialized texts but isn't essential for general communication.