ghostly

adjective

ghost·​ly ˈgōst-lē How to pronounce ghostly (audio)
ghostlier; ghostliest
Synonyms of ghostly
1
: of or relating to the soul : spiritual
2
: of, relating to, or having the characteristics of a ghost : spectral
ghostliness noun
ghostly adverb

Examples of ghostly in a Sentence

A ghostly figure appears in the house at night.
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.
When Lydia’s sister, Claudine, becomes Odette’s new stepmother, a ghostly presence emerges in the house — spurring a story about grief and motherhood. — Chloe Gong, PEOPLE, 1 Sep. 2026 Detectors are becoming so large and so sensitive that they will soon be swamped with other ghostly particles called neutrinos that are generated in the sun and in Earth’s atmosphere. — Joseph Howlett, Scientific American, 1 Sep. 2026 Everything reached her from far away; her sensations were ghostly. — Madhuri Vijay, New Yorker, 16 Aug. 2026 Roth asks in one, referencing the ghostly figure careening overhead. — Marisa Meltzer, Vanity Fair, 12 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for ghostly

Word History

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of ghostly was before the 12th century

Rhymes for ghostly

See All Rhymes for ghostly

Browse Nearby Words

ghostlore
ghostly
ghost moth
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Ghostly.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ghostly. Accessed 7 Sep. 2026.

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Kids Definition

ghostly

adjective
ghost·​ly ˈgōst-lē How to pronounce ghostly (audio)
ghostlier; ghostliest
: of, relating to, or having the characteristics of a ghost
ghostliness noun

More from Merriam-Webster on ghostly

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for ghostly

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