ghost story

noun

1
: a story about ghosts
2
: a tale based on imagination rather than fact

Examples of ghost story in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Scott said the set was interesting, as there were ghost stories on the shoot. — Lisa Lockwood, Footwear News, 31 Aug. 2026 The Troop follows a troop of boys who, while on their annual scout camping trip, encounter an intruder who unleashes something far more terrifying than any campfire ghost story. — Matt Grobar, Deadline, 27 Aug. 2026 The playwright’s story plants its clues carefully enough that the eventual revelations feel surprising without feeling arbitrary — exactly what a good ghost story should accomplish. — Dave Quinn, PEOPLE, 26 Aug. 2026 Anna Biller’s gloriously lurid ghost story proves that killing your wife may only be the beginning of your problems. — Christian Zilko, IndieWire, 18 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for ghost story

Word History

First Known Use

1730, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of ghost story was in 1730

Rhymes for ghost story

See All Rhymes for ghost story

Browse Nearby Words

ghost spot
ghost story
ghost town
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Ghost story.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ghost%20story. Accessed 4 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on ghost story

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about ghost story

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of apiary

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

A List of Most Commonly Confused Words

Why do we use apostrophes to show possession?

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Words of the Week - Sept. 4
See More

Popular

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
anagrams on a chalk board
Word Builder Quiz Vol. 2 Pick the letter that when added to a word will ma...
See All