Finesentence mobile logo
Sign in Login / Register

Spook Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

👻
Add to dictionary

spook

[spuːk ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Noun

in horror movies

A ghost or supernatural being, especially one that is thought to bring bad luck or harm to people.

Synonyms

apparition, ghost, phantom, specter.

Examples of usage

  • The old abandoned house was rumored to be haunted by a spook.
  • The villagers believed that the spook of the forest would curse anyone who entered.
Context #2 | Verb

informal

To scare or frighten someone.

Synonyms

alarm, frighten, startle.

Examples of usage

  • The sudden noise spooked the horse and it bolted away.
  • Don't sneak up on me like that, you really spooked me!

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Origin of 'spook'

The word 'spook' originated in the late 19th century as a slang term for a ghost or spirit. It is believed to be derived from the Dutch word 'spook', meaning ghost. Over time, the term expanded to include any supernatural being or frightening entity. In modern usage, 'spook' is commonly used to refer to ghosts in horror stories or as a verb to describe the act of scaring someone.

See also: spookily, spooky.

Word Frequency Rank

This word's position of #31,150 indicates it's among the more rare English words. While understanding it broadens your vocabulary, focus on more common words first.