phantom

¹phan·tom

noun \ˈfan-təm\

Definition of PHANTOM

1

a : something apparent to sense but with no substantial existence : apparition b : something elusive or visionary c : an object of continual dread or abhorrence <the phantom of disease and want>

2

: something existing in appearance only

3

: a representation of something abstract, ideal, or incorporeal <she was a phantom of delight — William Wordsworth>

— phan·tom·like \-ˌlīk\ adverb or adjective

Examples of PHANTOM

1. The book is about the phantoms that are said to haunt the nation's cemeteries.
2. The crisis is merely a phantom made up by the media.

Origin of PHANTOM

Middle English fantosme, fantome, from Anglo-French fantosme phantasm

First Known Use: 14th century

Related to PHANTOM

Synonyms: apparition, bogey (also bogie or bogy), familiar spirit, hant [dialect], haunt [chiefly dialect], materialization, phantasm (also fantasm), ghost, poltergeist, shade, shadow, specter (or spectre), spirit, spook, sprite, vision, visitant, wraith

Related Words: angel, daimon, familiar, genie, genius, jinni (or jinn also djinni or djinn), shaitan; double, doppelgänger (or doppelganger), fetch; lemures, manes; incubus, lamia, succubus, vampire, zombie (also zombi); cacodemon, demon (or daemon), devil, fiend, ghoul, imp

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Rhymes with PHANTOM

bantam