apparition

noun

ap·​pa·​ri·​tion ˌa-pə-ˈri-shən 

1

a

: an unusual or unexpected sight : phenomenon

strange apparitions in the sky

b

: a ghostly figure

reported seeing ghostly apparitions in the old house

2

: the act of becoming visible : appearance

the apparition of sunlight through the window

apparitional

ˌa-pə-ˈri-sh(ə-)nəl 

adjective

Synonyms

• bogey
• bogie
• bogy
• familiar spirit
• ghost
• hant [dialect]
• haunt [chiefly dialect]
• materialization
• phantasm
• fantasm
• phantom
• poltergeist
• shade
• shadow
• specter
• spectre
• spirit
• spook
• sprite
• vision
• visitant
• wraith

Examples of apparition in a Sentence

an eccentric who claimed to have photographed an apparition in her very own house

Recent Examples on the Web

Our hopes for the power of small transformations may be misplaced, while the power of the sudden apparition—The drones are here! —Adam Gopnik, The New Yorker, 22 Dec. 2024

La Virgen had made apparitions to Juan Diego between Dec. 9-12, 1531 on Mexico City’s hill of Tepeyac in between tending to an ailing uncle. —Jose R. Gonzalez, The Arizona Republic, 12 Dec. 2024

Here's a look at some of the strange ghost experiences that staff, visitors, and past residents have had while in the White House: A musical presidential apparition Unable to view our graphics? —Janet Loehrke, USA TODAY, 26 Oct. 2024

Others have seen an apparition of a bearded man who looks like the crew member. —Julie Jordan, People.com, 17 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English apparicion, borrowed from Anglo-French & Medieval Latin; Anglo-French appariciun "appearance," borrowed from Medieval Latin appāritiōn-, appāritiō "appearance, supernatural manifestation, Epiphany," going back to Late Latin, "appearance" (Latin, "service, attendance"), from Latin appāri-, variant stem of appārēre "to be visible, be evident, attend, serve" + -tiōn-, -tiō, suffix of verbal action — more at appear

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Kids Definition

apparition

noun

ap·​pa·​ri·​tion ˌap-ə-ˈrish-ən 

1

: an unusual or unexpected sight

2

: ghost