Specters: meaning, definitions and examples

Often used in literary or poetic contexts to evoke a sense of foreboding or worry. It can also refer to fears or worries that haunt one's mind.

• The specter of war loomed large over the country.
• She was haunted by the specters of her past mistakes.

The most general term for the spirit of a dead person, usually appearing in a human form. It is used in both casual and formal conversations about haunted places or supernatural experiences.

• People believe the library is haunted by ghosts.
• She saw a ghostly figure standing at the end of the hallway.

Used to describe a ghostly presence that appears suddenly, often in a mysterious or unexplained manner. It is commonly found in ghost stories and horror tales.

• The old mansion was said to be haunted by apparitions of former residents.
• An apparition appeared in front of him, vanishing as quickly as it had come.

Used to describe beings that are not real but seem real. It can also refer to something elusive or difficult to grasp, often with a more poetic or dramatic tone.

• He chased phantoms of his imagination.
• The phantom ship appeared on the horizon, only to disappear seconds later.

A broader term that can refer to the soul or essence of a being, including both the dead and supernatural entities. It is also used culturally in forms like 'spirits of nature' or 'spirits of the ancestors.'

• Many cultures believe spirits inhabit natural features like rivers and trees.
• They held a séance to communicate with the spirits of their ancestors.